COLORADO SPRINGS — A 62-year-old man died after being shot Sunday night in a parking lot that has been dark since the city of Colorado Springs turned off a streetlight in a money-saving measure, a business owner said.
Gaspar Martinez, owner of Ruskin Liquor, blamed the man’s death on increased violence in the area — and the city’s decision to turn off the street light in front of the business.
Martinez identified the victim as Esteban Garcia, the owner of El Ranchito, a market and taqueria in southeast Colorado Springs. Police would not confirm the victim’s identity.
Martinez said that as Garcia was walking to his car Sunday night, a robber approached and demanded money. Garcia didn’t have money, and the robber shot him, Martinez said.
Martinez said his worries have increased since the city shut off the street light in front of the small strip mall. Since then, he said, he has noticed people gathering beneath the darkened light.
So far, about 8,000 lights have been turned off overall. The city expects to save $1.2 million this year in energy and maintenance costs. The Gazette
