The widow of a Denver police officer gunned down in an ambush urged the suspect today to turn himself in just as police began arresting people for allegedly helping the fugitive.
“He needs to come face the music,” said Kelly Young, the wife of Donald “Donnie” Young, 43. “Anybody with a conscience needs to turn him in.”
Police were searching for Raul Garcia-Gomez, 19, who allegedly shot Young and another officer in the back early on Mother’s Day morning, May 8. Garcia-Gomez’s car was discovered in Los Angeles at the home of his mother.
Young was killed, while John Bishop was injured in the shooting. Both were working off duty with the uniforms on at a celebration of a baptism.
Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman said today that police have arrested several of Garcia-Gomez’s associates in connection with the case. Some were arrested because they have outstanding warrants.
He declined to say how many were arrested, who they were, what their charges were and where they were being held. He specifically declined to say whether Garcia-Gomez’s mother, Gregoria Gomez, was among those arrested.
Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the names of those arrested were not released for investigative reasons.
Friends or family members who harbor Garcia-Gomez, help him escape or even fail to tell police what they know about his movements will be charged criminally, Whitman vowed.
“The people who know things need to realize they are next,” Whitman said. “I’m real insistent about this.”
He said there are a core group of Garcia-Gomez’s friends and family members who are refusing to say anything.
He said the Denver detectives and supervisors who went to Los Angeles to help organize the manhunt are returning this week to Denver to investigate the homicide.
Young said Garcia-Gomez’s senseless acts has dramatically affected a large circle of people.
“He’s changed the lives of so many people, including his own,” she said.
She said Garcia-Gomez needs to be caught so he doesn’t harm someone else.
“It will give me relief when he is caught,” Young said. “I have no doubt that he will be caught. It may be this week or next week.”
Young said the case has been so public it has been hard for her to grieve. She also must care for her two daughters.
“I’d like to stay in bed all day and cry but I have girls that need taken care of,” Young said.
She thanked police and many people who have supported her and her daughters. She specifically mentioned the many children she saw lining the funeral procession route saluting as her husband’s body passed by.
“The funeral was overwhelming,” Young said. “It was beautiful. He definitely went out in style.”
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
