A 22-year-old man who was stabbed after he asked two men if they were talking to him is in critical condition at Denver Health Medical Center.
Ryan Christopher Kelly, of Boulder, was stabbed twice in the back and once in his abdomen at about 2:15 a.m. near the intersection of Broadway and Pleasant Street in Boulder.
“It appears it was unprovoked,” said Boulder police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley.
Police arrested Cory James Morales, 23, and Alex Joseph Torres, 23, for the assault.
Torres and Morales were involved in another altercation moments before the stabbing near Broadway and Marine streets, Huntley said.
Two people, both 21, were assaulted in that incident, and one suffered minor head injuries.
“Those victims ran away, the suspects ran away as well, but while they were running away they came upon (Kelly.) He just heard them talking and turned around and asked they were talking to him,” Huntley said.
The suspects were taken into custody by Boulder police near the intersection of 14th Street and Aurora Avenue and are being held at the Boulder County Jail. They were identified as .
Torres is being held on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and possession of an illegal weapon. Morales is being held on charges of complicity in a first-degree assault, third-degree assault and possession of an illegal weapon.
Detectives are interviewing multiple witnesses and working to establish a motive in the case.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call detectives Chuck Heidel or Kurt Foster at 303-441-3300.
Tipsters also can call Boulder County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can be submitted as well via the Crime Stoppers website at .
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
