AURORA — A gang battle that ended in gunfire Tuesday and put two people in the hospital was the result of a national Latino gang trying to claim local turf, said an anti-gang activist.
The Rev. Leon Kelly, who runs the Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives program, said tensions between the Sureños 13 and local gangs over turf have been simmering for months.
There have been skirmishes almost every weekend, he said.
Things escalated Tuesday at Highland Hollow Park, where several dozen people gathered. Gunfire erupted, and two people were shot. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Two suspects have been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Police are not releasing the names of those involved.
“They (Sureños 13) are trying to establish themselves, and they are doing a very good job,” Kelly said. “Some of the homegrown group feel like they don’t want to put up with that.”
According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Aurora has an estimated 1,460 gang members and 36 known gangs.
The Sureños are considered extremely dangerous and have roots in Southern California but have branched out.
Aurora police spokeswoman Shannon Lucy would not identify the gangs involved in the incident but said the shooting appeared to be gang-related.
One of the victims was a student at Rangeview High School.
Georgia Duran, spokeswoman for Aurora Public Schools, said the gang problem in the district isn’t any worse than in other places.
“In a lot of cases, they are keeping it off school grounds and on their own time, fortunately for us,” she said. “But we still have an injured student.”
Kelly said there is increased gang activity in the winter, as gangs vie for territory to use during the spring and summer.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
