One Denver Police officer died and another was injured early this morning while working off-duty at a private event.
According to a statement from the Denver Police Department, the slain officer is Detective Donald R. Young; the injured officer, John H. Bishop, was released from Denver Health Medical Center earlier this morning.
The two officers were off duty but in full uniform, providing security for an event at hall called Solano Ocampo at 1733 W. Mississippi. The officers were watching the crowds leaving the hall just before 1 a.m. when a suspect shot Young in the back, and turned and shot at Bishop. Neither officer had time to return fire.
Two other officers heard the gunshots and ran outside in time to see a male suspect fleeing the area armed with what appeared to be a weapon, but lost him in the crowd.
According to a 9News report, dozens of people were inside the rental hall when the shooting happened, including many children. Some witnesses say everything came to a stop when they heard about five gun shots, two of which apparently hit the officers.
The suspect is described as Hispanic male, extremely short hair, almost shaven, with a thin moustache, slightly heavy-set wearing white shirt with sleeves down to the elbows and either Khaki or light brown pants. He was described as approximately 5’6″ – 5′ 10″ and possibly in his mid-20s.
Young and Bishop were taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where Young was pronounced dead at 1:33 a.m. Bishop was wearing a bullet-proof vest which may have saved his life; it’s unknown at this time whether Young was wearing a vest.
Detective Young graduated from the police academy in December of 1993 and was later assigned to District 4. He had also been assigned to the Vice/Narcotics Unit in 1997 and the Domestic Violence Unit and was currently assigned to Fugitive/Bomb Unit Vice/Narcotics.
He was the recipient of the Medal of Honor Award, Distinguished Service Cross Award, 10 Official Commendations, and 2 Commendatory Letters.
Detective Young is survived by his wife and two young daughters.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 720-913-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous and a reward will be offered. Anyone who witnessed the shooting is asked to call police at 720-913-6911.
