As law officers track the gunman who killed an Adams County prosecutor, his colleagues are praising his dedication, supporting his family and wondering whether his work contributed to his death.
Sean May was gunned down Wednesday night outside his home in northwest Denver’s Highland neighborhood. A man in his late teens or early 20s shot the 37-year-old chief deputy district attorney in the head and abdomen.
Adams County District Attorney Don Quick said May leaves a wife who is six months pregnant with their first child.
“Sean May had been with the office for seven years and was responsible for the supervision and training of new deputy district attorneys,” Quick said in a statement. “Sean was a talented prosecutor, a loving husband and a steadfast friend.
“Sean was a part of our office, and the loss is immeasurable. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.”
Stan Garnett, a former prosecutor in the Denver DA’s office, who will become Boulder’s new DA in January, said he was with Quick and Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey Wednesday night, celebrating Quick’s birthday.
“It is just shocking,” said Garnett. “It is very rare. I can’t even remember a murder of a prosecutor in Colorado. This is a very heinous act. I’ve already talked to a number of state and federal prosecutors. Everyone is very focused. This is a reminder of how important the work of prosecutors is and that they are involved with dangerous and violent people.”
Morrissey said May’s death was a tragedy for both May’s family and the prosecutors of Adams County.
He called May a “committed public servant” who served the citizens of the 17th Judicial District “with honor and dedication.”
May was admitted to the bar in 1998 and was a deputy in the child victims’ unit, according to the Adams County district attorney’s website.
After the 6:20 p.m. shooting, a massive search was launched for the gunman.
Neighbor Bob Nelson said he was taking a shower at the time and heard nothing.
After he got out, he saw a fire engine and ambulance pull up. A short time later, squad cars started arriving.
Police responded in force; at least 10 patrol cruisers blocked streets and alleys, and a crime scene van was parked in the middle of the block near the house where the shooting occurred.
In citywide broadcasts, the suspect was described as a white or Latino man in his late teens to early 20s.
He was 5-foot-11 with a medium build and a dark-colored mustache and goatee. He was wearing a black baseball cap, white T-shirt, and khaki colored, knee-length cargo style pants.
Denver Police Lt. Ronald Saunier said the motive of the killer is unknown but that the attack on a well-known prosecutor raises concerns.
John Walsh, a Denver lawyer and former federal prosecutor, said May’s death will be “incredibly traumatic for the people around him.”
Such murders, Walsh said, are exceedingly rare. They energize police and make prosecutors “incredibly diligent,” he added. “It is so important that you don’t have prosecutors or law enforcement feel they are hunted or are going to be attacked.”
Staff writer Joey Bunch contributed to this report.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
