Grammy Award-winning musician Marc Cohn was shot and wounded above his right temple by a man who attempted to carjack his entourage during a Sunday night crime spree on the 16th Street Mall.
The suspected shooter, Joseph William Yachteen, 26, was arrested late Monday night after police used tear gas, a flash-bang grenade and a rubber bullet to end a more than five-hour standoff at a West City Park home.
Cohn was “shaken” by the incident but wasn’t critically injured. The bullet was removed Monday and he was sent home, his management said.
Cohn won a best new artist Grammy in 1991 and is known for the hit songs “Walking in Memphis,” “Silver Thunderbird” and “True Companion.”
He had just played a sold-out show at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
His road manager, Thomas Dube, was hit in the chin by the same bullet but not seriously injured, police said.
Police arrested Yachteen about 11:30 Monday night at a vacant house in the 2700 block of Josephine Street, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. The SWAT team moved in on the house about 6 p.m., attempting to negotiate with the suspect by bullhorn.
Jackson said the suspect was subdued with a 40-round, which is a large rubber bullet. The suspect was then taken to Denver Health Center.
“He’s in pretty good shape. He’s talkative,” Jackson said.
Police say Yachteen was involved in a crime spree that began near the 16th Street Mall at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. After police were called, Yachteen tried to carjack a couple, then Cohn’s entourage, police said. He got away after forcing four men out of their SUV, police said.
Yachteen was running from the law and refused to go back to jail, police said. Yachteen had a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in court after posting $25,000 bond in a June 28 case involving possession of drugs and a weapon, Jackson said.
Police said Cohn and his group were in a Ford van in the 1400 block of Stout Street.
Yachteen attempted to open the door of the van and fired one round into the vehicle when he couldn’t get in, police said.
He also pointed a weapon at a Regional Transportation District officer as the officer yelled at Yachteen to drop his weapon, they said.
Dube, who was driving, tried to avoid Yachteen by speeding up and swerving away.
The shot grazed Dube’s chin and struck Cohn in the head. Two other passengers were not injured.
Dube continued driving for a couple of blocks before stopping for help. He was cut by flying glass, which was imbedded in his face and eye, according to Cohn’s management.
Officers say they saw Yachteen near the Colorado Convention Center carjack a Subaru Forester, license plate 207-KUM, from four men and drive away on West Colfax Avenue.
An arrest warrant was issued for Yachteen, with charges of criminal attempted first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and felony menacing.
Both Cohn and Dube were treated at Denver Health Medical Center.
Cohn was in Denver on a tour with Suzanne Vega that began July 20 and was to continue through Sunday.
Cohn, the husband of ABC News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas, is expected to return to the tour when he recovers, his managers said.
Staff writer Jim Kirksey can be reached at 303-820-1448 or at jkirksey@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
