BOULDER — Less than 24 hours after a man in a distinctive hoodie jacket shot and killed University of New Hampshire football player Todd Walker on University Hill, Boulder police arrested a suspect Friday night who worked at a sandwich shop just four blocks from the crime scene.
The jacket is so common that Logan Tierney, a friend of a woman walking home with Walker, was wearing the same one that night: a black Analog-brand snowboard hoodie with the initials “AG.” Police initially mistook him as a suspect.
But the long-shot lead generated numerous tips from the community, including one reportedly from the employees of Which Wich Superior Sandwiches at 1129 13th St.
Police arrested Kevin Michael McGregor, a 22-year-old Longmont man, at work at the sandwich shop Friday night on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said his office will consider pursuing the death penalty. Prosecutors plan to charge McGregor with first-degree murder, attempted robbery and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner would not confirm that a tip came specifically from the sandwich shop, but Tierney, who has several friends who work at the restaurant, said Saturday that employees there recognized the hoodie and called police.
“I know some guys who work for Which Wich, and they knew (McGregor) had that sweatshirt and called it in right away,” Tierney said. “I’m very happy they did their jobs and did it quickly.”
Beckner said Saturday that tips from the community led detectives to Which Wich, but he would not be more specific.
“We’re pleased to have a dangerous person out of the community,” he said. “It’s very satisfying when people step forward and . . . provide us with very valuable information.”
Jay Goldstein, chief operating officer of Which Wich, declined comment Saturday but released a statement saying his company is “cooperating fully” with police.
Officers served a search warrant at McGregor’s Longmont home, 4232 Prairie Fire Circle, where they recovered the handgun used in the shooting, Beckner said. Officers also found a hoodie that matched the description provided by Elizabeth Roach, the 21-year-old CU student who was with Walker that night.
Beckner credited Roach with providing detectives with a “very well-described” account of the robber and his clothing.
McGregor, who is not a University of Colorado student, was booked into Boulder County Jail about 3 a.m. Saturday, where he remains without bail.
According to Boulder police, Walker was walking with Roach to her house about 2 a.m. after attending parties on University Hill — including one that sparked a riot at 1555 Broadway. They were confronted at 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue by a man wearing a black bandanna over his face.
Police said they think it was initially an attempted robbery, but after a verbal and physical confrontation, in which the woman pulled the bandanna off the assailant’s face, he pulled out a gun and fired a shot into the air. The assailant then shot Walker and ran from the scene, according to police.
Walker was rushed to Boulder Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
With McGregor arrested, Beckner said officers are not looking for any other suspects.
Mark Walker, Todd Walker’s father, said the arrest brought a sense of relief, though more on behalf of Roach and the community in general.
“Having that guy arrested — the most important reason — is that he’s no longer a threat to Ellie, who was the one person who could identify him,” he said. “I find the most peace in that. And the second reason, is that a guy like that, who has such low regard for human life, is not on the streets, so that whoever, whenever, doesn’t get hurt.
“Below that, it brings closure for us,” he added. “It doesn’t change a lot for Todd, but reason No. 1 and reason No. 2 are pretty important.”
McGregor lived with his parents in a large home in a newer neighborhood in southwest Longmont. He graduated from Silver Creek High School in Longmont.
A man who answered the phone there Saturday evening said the family had no comment.
Garnett said McGregor was convicted of second-degree assault and collection of a debt by extortionate means in March 2009, and his suspected possession of a handgun on Friday violates the prohibition of possession of a weapon by a previously convicted felon.
McGregor originally was sentenced to five years in prison, but a judge reconsidered his punishment after 120 days.
