DENVER (KDVR) — Multiple shootings sent 11 people to the hospital early Tuesday morning after thousands flocked downtown in celebration of the Denver Nuggets’ historic NBA Finals win, celebrating into the early morning hours.
Just before 1 a.m., the Denver Police Department tweeted that they were investigating a shooting in the 2000 block of Market Street.
DPD said nine gunshot victims were located and that they identified a suspect who also had a gunshot wound. During a Tuesday news conference, a medical surgeon with Denver Health said five victims were still in the hospital in “fair condition.”
Just after 12:30 a.m., Denver Police Commander Matthew Clark said they had “a significant number of officers assigned to the area of 20th and Market Street,” monitoring the post-game celebrations. By that time, the large crowds began to disperse. Several smaller groups remained in the area when officers heard shots fired.
“It did occur in the area where we had the largest gathering of folks celebrating during the night,” said police spokesperson Doug Schepman.
Some officers aided victims on the scene and others worked to find the suspects.
One of the suspects was chased on foot before he was taken into custody near Park Avenue and Blake Street. Police said that the suspect was suffering from gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital. While searching the suspect, Clark said the officers found a firearm and suspected fentanyl pills on him.
Other officers approached a vehicle sitting in a parking lot across the street from ViewHouse with people inside whom they believed to have been involved in the shooting. Officers said they found a firearm on the floorboard of the driver’s seat and the driver of the vehicle was detained.
None of the occupants in that vehicle had gunshot wounds, Clark said.
Police estimated that more than 20 rounds were fired and said they found different shell casings on the scene, indicating that there were multiple firearms involved. They were testing the gun found on the floorboard to see whether it had fired any shots.
Police said three other firearms were located but did not specify where, and said those will also be tested.
In total, 10 adults -nine men and one woman – were injured in the 2000 block of Market Street near Coors Field. All of the victims are expected to survive.
Clark said that while several of the offenders were injured in the gunfire, they learned several innocent people were also hit by rounds of gunfire.
Two suspects are now in custody on gun-related charges.
DPD said this shooting is complex, and the investigation is in its early stages. Early information suggests that multiple shots were fired during an altercation that involved several people.
A separate shooting took place just before midnight on Monday.
DPD said they were investigating a shooting near 15th Street and Tremont Place. The area is a block away from the 16th Street Mall and several downtown hotels.
One person was taken to a local hospital, but their injuries were unknown at this point.
Officers are working to obtain suspect information.
DPD did not say whether these two shootings were related.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
