A popular 32-year-old barber in eastern Aurora was shot and killed Saturday night, police said.
Thomas Powell, who operated a barbershop near East Iliff Avenue and South Buckley Road, was shot in the parking lot of the Country Buffet restaurant in the 1100 block of South Sable Boulevard in Aurora about 8 p.m.
Powell stumbled into the restaurant with a gunshot wound to his chest. As he collapsed, several diners ran to his aid and tried to help him until paramedics arrived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said witnesses told them a white compact car was seen fleeing the parking lot after the shooting.
How to help: Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Craig Appel. 303-739-6207
AURORA
Motorcyclist killed in crash with car
Police believe speed might have been a factor in a two- vehicle crash that killed a motorcyclist Sunday afternoon at East Mississippi Avenue and South Blackhawk Street.
Officers responded about 3:45 p.m. and found the unidentified rider lying in the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told investigators the man was riding alongside two other motorcyclists, speeding and popping wheelies for about a mile and a half before he collided with an Oldsmobile sedan, Aurora police Sgt. William Revelle said.
The unidentified driver of the car was injured and was transported to an area hospital.
Revelle said the two motorcyclists riding alongside the man who died stopped briefly when they saw the accident but left before police arrived.
DENVER
Plumber killed in trench collapse ID’d
The plumbing contractor who died after he fell into a 12-foot trench and was buried by 8 feet of dirt was identified Sunday as Erick Hernandez, 26, of Aurora, according to the Denver medical examiner’s office.
His death was ruled an accident, from asphyxia, according to a statement.
The man was working on a sewer line at 770 Grant St. in Denver when the trench collapsed. He was buried for about 20 minutes, according to Denver Fire Department spokesman Phil Champagne.
Hernandez was working on a ladder when he dropped a shovel in the trench. When he tried to retrieve it, the dirt collapsed and buried him, Champagne said.
GRAND JUNCTION
Handgun found near missing mom’s car
A gun was found last week less than a half-mile from where authorities found the burned-out car of a missing Grand Junction woman.
A man reported finding an unloaded Ruger 9mm handgun about 6 inches off the road Tuesday. The area is near where Paige Birgfeld’s car was found July 1.
Birgfeld, a 34-year-old mother of three, was last seen June 28 and reported missing two days later.
FORT COLLINS
24-year-old held in stabbing death
Fort Collins police arrested a 24-year-old man Sunday morning on suspicion of having killed a 19-year-old man about 3 a.m. that day.
Police were called about 3:30 a.m. to a residence in the 1000 block of Ponderosa Street, where they found a man with knife wounds lying on the ground outside the house.
He was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified as Joseph Michael Martel of Fort Collins.
About 8:30 a.m., police received a tip that a suspect could be found in a house in the 3400 block of Warren Farm Drive. There, they arrested Adrian Danelle Allen, 24, of Fort Collins.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS
2 men sought in cop’s shooting in custody
Two men sought after the July 29 shooting of a police officer near the airport were in custody Sunday.
Anthony Villegas, 19, was arrested Saturday on an outstanding warrant on a drug-related felony, Garfield County sheriff’s officials said.
Sergio Estebon Ramirez, 20, was arrested Sunday, the same day a warrant for his arrest was issued on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, sheriff’s officials said.
The officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and had injuries not considered life-threatening.
