Neighbors and friends gathered outside a west Denver apartment building Friday morning to mourn a murdered teenager.
The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of Knox Court, said Denver police spokesman John White.
The teen was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
White said police are searching for a suspect, or suspects, but no arrests have been made.
About 10 a.m., a group of women laid a small bouquet of flowers on a grassy median below crime-scene tape that cordoned off an area near the building where the shooting happened.
The women held hands, formed a circle and with bowed heads and eyes closed, said a prayer.
The 18-year-old victim was at home with Andrea Holquin and their 18-month-old child and others when someone knocked at the door, said Charlene Gonzales, Holquin’s mother.
She said the teen was shot in the neck when he answered the door.
Gonzales said she didn’t know why anyone would have shot the teen.
Although family members identified the victim, Denver police and the coroner have not officially released his name.
The victim’s neighbors, Tammy and Gary Abeyta, said they were awakened by the gunfire.
Gary Abeyta said he saw a young man run west, toward King Street, through the Denver Housing Authority complex shortly after the gunfire. A few seconds later, a dark SUV started up and sped away, he said.
As Tammy Abeyta talked with others about the incident, tears ran down her face. Abeyta was worried about the victim’s mother, a single parent with several sons, she said.
“She walked by, just the other day, so happy,” Tammy Abeyta recalled of the short, pleasant conversation. “She talked with me about her family.”
The Abeytas, who have children of their own, said they’re concerned about violence in their community, especially among teens and young adults.
“There is no reason for them to be killing each other,” Gary Abeyta said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
