Make My Day fatal shooting at 3400 block of West 9th Avenue?

The Denver Police Department is reporting an early morning homicide on the 3400 block of West 9th Avenue -- and judging by the information the DPD has collected thus far, there's every possibility that it could be ruled justifiable. After all, the account revolves around a home resident and an...

By Michael Roberts

February 8, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The Denver Police Department is reporting an early morning homicide on the 3400 block of West 9th Avenue -- and judging by the information the DPD has collected thus far, there's every possibility that it could be ruled justifiable.

After all, the account revolves around a home resident and an intruder, two basic ingredients of Colorado's Make My Day law.

At 2:20 a.m. this morning, the DPD received a call about a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers found two thus-far-unidentified men suffering from gunshot wounds. One was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, while the other was taken to a nearby hospital. His wounds were reportedly to his lower body.

Investigators reconstructing the incident say that a resident of the home awoke to find an intruder. The pair subsequently struggled over a gun, which went off numerous times, wounding both of them -- the intruder fatally.

Could there be more to this story? Yes, because the two men appear to have known each other. But no arrest has been made to date, and the DPD notes that the Denver District Attorney's Office will determine if any charges are warranted.

Look below to see an interactive graphic of the area near the scene. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map."

View Larger Map

Follow and like the Michael Roberts/Westword Facebook page.

More from our News archive: "Make My Day Better bill: Okay to use deadly force at work?"

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo