Earlier this week, we told you about a double homicide at the Sommerset Gardens Apartments in Aurora, with the victims later being identified as Jarrel Jordan Rivers, 18, and Paul Maurice Chatman, 28.
Now, a new development. Detective Shannon Youngquist-Lucy, spokeswoman for the Aurora Police Department, confirms the arrest of Steven Johnston, 20, on a first-degree murder charge.
No other details are available at this writing; when we learn more, we'll update this item. In the meantime, look below to check out an interactive graphic of the location to which police were called (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), as well as two APD releases and a video touting the apartment complex on a peaceful day.
Names Released in Connection with Monday's Fatal ShootingAurora Police are identifying the two individuals who died in a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday as 18-year-old Jarell Jordan Rivers of Aurora and 28-year-old Paul Maurice Chatman of Denver.
The two individuals who were taken into custody during the early stages of this investigation are not in custody at this time.
This case continues to be actively investigated by the Police Department.
Information Previously Released on March 29, 2010 at 11:33 p.m.
Police Investigate Fatal Shooting
Aurora, Colo. -- Shortly before 6:30 p.m. this evening, Aurora Police Officers responded to an apartment complex near East Mississippi Avenue and Blackhawk Street on a report of a shooting.
The preliminary investigation determined that a responding Officer spotted a vehicle leaving the scene of the shooting. Attempts by the Officer to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful. The driver's failure to yield to the Officer resulted in a pursuit. The vehicle was pursued to an area of the city near 1st Avenue and Chambers Road where it came to a stop. The two occupants of the vehicle fled on foot, but were apprehended by Officers and then taken to Aurora Police Headquarters for questioning. Police are working with preliminary information suggesting that there may have been a third person in this vehicle that managed to avoid apprehension.
Responding Officers discovered two victims in the parking lot of the apartment complex suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to a local hospital where they were subsequently pronounced deceased as a result of their serious injuries.
Officers worked quickly to secure the crime scene area, identified witnesses and requested detectives at the scene.
Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) and personnel with the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit responded to the scene, the hospital and Aurora Police Headquarters to collect evidence, interview witnesses and track down leads in the case.
It is unclear at this time what transpired in the parking lot in the moments leading up to the shooting, or what role the two persons who were taken into custody after the pursuit may have played in the shooting.
Police are not releasing the identity of the deceased victims at this time pending positive identification and notification of family members.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call MCU Detective Hershel Stowell at (303)739-6079.
Update, 4 p.m.: Here's the latest from the APD about Steven Johnston's arrest:
Steven Earl Johnston, 20 years-of-age, has been arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery for his role in the double homicide that occurred during the early evening hours of March 29, 2010 near East Mississippi Avenue and South Blackhawk Street.Mr. Johnston was arrested yesterday night in the 900 block of Osceola Street in Denver. The Aurora Police Department Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team worked with the Denver Police Department's Fugitive Unit and the local Fugitive Location and Apprehension Group to locate and arrest Mr. Johnston.
18- year-old Jarell Jordan Rivers of Aurora and 28-year-old Paul Maurice Chatman of Denver both died from gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
Major Crimes/Homicide Investigators believe that all parties involved in the incident had arranged to meet at that specific location and that the shooting was not random.
As of now, Investigators believe that all persons directly involved in the shooting are deceased or in custody, and they do not anticipate further arrests.
We are not releasing a photograph of Steven Johnston pending further investigation.
Anyone with information reference this case is asked to call Det. Hershel Stowell at 303.739.6079.
