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At about 8:05 p.m. on August 13, according to the Littleton Police Department, officers were dispatched to 555 West Peakview Avenue on a report of a shooting.Upon their arrival, they found a man later identified as Barnes in the front yard of the home. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and subsequently died of the wound.
The person who put the bullet in Barnes was seen leaving the area on foot, and his identity didn't remain a mystery for long. Police identified him as Hoppe and promptly issued an arrest warrant for first-degree murder in his name.
What led to this tragedy? Donald and Maria Schenkeir provided the background to CBS4 the day after the shooting. They said Hoppe had dated their daughter for approximately ten years and even lived in the house until last year, at which point they asked him to vacate.
Then, this past May, Barnes, described as a good friend of the woman, moved in -- and there was clearly friction between him and Hoppe. Maria Schenkeir told the station that Hoppe had threatened to kill him.Hoppe allegedly made good on this promise last week amid a confrontation with Barnes. The Schenkeirs say that as Hoppe approached the home, Barnes stepped outside holding a machete and a chain -- potentially lethal weapons, yet no match for the gun in Hoppe's possession.
After Hoppe fired, Barnes reportedly pointed to his chest and told Maria "I'm shot" before expiring.
The gun was recovered at the scene and the cops soon put out an all-points bulletin for Hoppe, who remained at large until a few hours ago. 7News was on the scene when Hoppe was located by authorities at an apartment complex near Leetsdale Drive and South Quebec Street.The station notes that Hoppe could make his first court appearance as early as today -- and while it's much too soon to know for certain about his fate, Maria Schenkeir shared a prediction last week. "Josh will probably be in prison for the rest of his life," she said, adding, "It's pure ignorance."
Look below to see a previous booking photo of Hoppe, followed by last week's aforementioned CBS4 piece and a 7News item about this morning's arrest.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
