A burglary suspect was shot and killed by a Denver homeowner early Monday.
The incident happened about 2:20 a.m. in the 3100 block of Gaylord Street, said Sonny Jackson, a Denver Police Department spokesman.
Jackson said police were summoned to the 3000 block of Gaylord to investigate a possible burglary. While patrol officers were there, they heard shots being fired in the next block.
The shooting occurred at 3150 Gaylord St. The suspect who was hit by the gunfire was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.
The coroner’s office identified the victim as 17-year-old Marcus Duran. He was pronounced dead at 2:47 a.m.
“The cause of death is multiple gunshot wounds to the head,” the coroner’s office said in a news release.
The death has been ruled a homicide. Police are continuing to investigate and will turn over their findings to the Denver district attorney’s office for a ruling on whether it was a justifiable shooting.
Police responding to the shooting found another 17-year-old nearby and took him into custody on suspicion of burglary. He was held Monday, and his name was not released.
The homeowner, who also was not identified, was taken into police custody and questioned about the break-in and shooting. He was released later in the day.
Police think three people might have been involved in the burglary, and they are looking for a suspect who fled.
As police stood outside the taped-off home Monday morning, 29-year-old Ben Graessle walked his dog, Arleen, through the neighborhood.
Across the street from the break-in in the 3000 block of Gaylord, Annie and Willie Mayfield sat on their front porch about 8 a.m., drinking coffee and chatting.
The Mayfields, a retired couple who have lived in their home for about 30 years, said they talked briefly with their neighbor about the break-in.
“She was real quiet and just stayed still and dialed 911,” Annie Mayfield said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
