During the incident, homeowner/middle-school teacher Jesse Swift was stabbed, as was one suspect, Caleb Williams.
The latest: Julia Johnson, thought to be the so-called getaway driver in the crime, has been taken into custody, joining Williams and a seventeen-year-old male who hasn't been identified thus far because of his age.
In the meantime, Swift is finally out of intensive care and continuing to heal, Williams is expressing regret about nearly taking the man's life, and a fourth suspect, Cody Jones, remains at large as of this writing.
To recap: At 9 p.m. on Monday, May 16, as we've reported, officers with the Golden Police Department were called to the 1900 block of Washington Avenue, an area captured in the following interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View on Google Maps."
The initial report: Three men had forced their way into the home and were fighting with a male resident.
Upon their arrival, the cops found the resident, Swift, and a suspect, Williams, suffering from stab wounds.
Both were rushed to a nearby hospital — Swift in critical condition that required immediate surgery. Later in the day, Golden police revealed that he had been stabbed in the kidney and suffered a punctured lung, plus other lacerations.
The stabbing victim's wife provided additional information about what happened. She told investigators that the couple had heard "light knocking" on their door, and when her husband answered it, the three men forced their way inside and began fighting with him.
Swift reportedly tried to defend himself with a kitchen knife. Williams was stabbed in the scuffle, and Swift was, too — even more seriously.
A perimeter was set up in the area, but the two men — presumably Jones and the seventeen-year-old — as well as a woman thought to have been waiting in a car for them (Johnson, allegedly), managed to get away.
As for why the assault happened, a GPD release characterizes it as "a tragic case of mistaken identity. According to one suspect in custody, he and two other young males broke into a home in the 1900 block of Washington Avenue last night just before 9 p.m. They were expecting to find $10,000 in cash and drugs. However, they went to the wrong house."
The seventeen-year-old was promptly busted, apparently thanks to information found on Williams's phone.
Then, on Friday, May 20, the Golden police announced the arrest of Johnson. She was booked into the Jefferson County Jail for complicity in regard to attempted second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first- and third-degree assault, aggravated robbery, felony menacing and false imprisonment.
There's a large disconnect between these charges and the way Johnson presents herself on Facebook.
Her page describes her as a native of Wichita, Kansas, and a former sandwich maker at Jimmy John's with a big interest in delicious eats.
Her latest post, in late March, features various ways to serve bacon, and she also recently shared a video showing how to make "No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter M&M Balls."
Her Facebook friends include Jones, featured in this photo:
Capturing Jones is a high priority for the Golden Police Department.
Its release about Johnson's arrest concludes with this line:
"We are still on the hunt for Cody Aaron Jones."
As for Swift, a teacher at Bell Middle School, a new post on the GoFundMe page created in his name offers good news.
The update reads in part:
Everyone is relieved to report Jesse is out of the ICU and no longer connected to many medical tubes. He’s eating solid foods and his health continues to improve daily. His external wounds continue to heal and while his internal injuries (the areas of most concern) are better, it will definitely be a long-term recovery.As of this morning, more than $52,000 has been pledged toward a goal of $75,000.
Most importantly, the family is doing well and healing, in large part to the outpouring of love and support they’ve received from family, friends, and people from, literally, all parts of the world. The messages and donations from everyone from a 13-year old who donated $5 to friends they haven’t seen since elementary school to people they’ve never met have given them strength and courage. They know they will be fine and their family will continue to heal and love because of the generosity of all of you.
For his part, Williams agreed to a sit-down with 9News, and among other things, he said, "I'm so sorry. [I] didn't mean to hurt anyone. I would give anything — even my life — if I could take it back."
Williams explained that he wasn't making enough money working part-time at a gas station. He hoped the drugs-and-cash score would net him $3,000 to buy a car — and he also planned to give some cash to his mom and his ex-girlfriend, who is pregnant with his baby.
"I'm not a bad guy," he insisted. "I was just following some bad people."
Look below to see booking photos for Johnson and Williams, a Jones wanted poster emblazoned with Golden Police Department contact information, and Williams's 9News interview.
