As we reported last year, Silva wanted to re-enlist in the Army, but a bad back made that impossible -- so he planned to head home to Illinois. Unfortunately, his flight was cancelled, so he got a room at a Motel 6 on Paris Street while waiting for his father to pick him up. He was last seen walking his dog.
The subsequent investigation into his death revealed a text message sent to his parents that read, "In some shit but ok. Call me 2morrow." But his phone revealed other information as well. The probable cause statement notes that Silva also sent texts to a phone that was subsequently traced to Scott, an Aurora resident known by the nickname "Tampa." Moreover, a DNA swab of Silva's right hand scored a strike with Scott, who was in the system thanks to a previous arrest.This clue was supplemented by information provided by a confidential informant, who recalled a conversation with Scott "about the killing of the soldier in Montbello." The source said Silva had arranged to meet Scott, accompanied by cohorts known by the names Bam Bam and Carlos, at a car in order to "purchase $200.00 worth of [sic] Marihuana." But when they went to a rental car being used by Scott to complete the transaction, a melee broke out, with Carlos beating Silva with a baseball bat and Scott opening fire, hitting the victim "maybe four times."
The document goes on to suggest that Silva tried to leave without paying for the cannabis, prompting Scott to shoot him in the back.
When asked about the marijuana-deal angle on the story, Denver District Attorney's Office DA suggests that the tale be attributed to Scott, since the police source attributed it to him. However, she notes that when Silva's body was found, he had $100 in cash and no marijuana.
More than a year after the crime, Scott went on trial -- and while a jury eventually found him not guilty of felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery, he was convicted on one count of first-degree murder. As such, he'll face life in prison without parole when he's formally sentenced on February 8. In the meantime, he remains in custody at the Denver Detention Center.
Look below to see a larger version of Scott's mug shot, a report from CBS4 dating to last year and the aforementioned probable cause statement, followed by our previous coverage.
Before that call could come, Silva was dead -- allegedly murdered by Ricky Scott, 22. But police emphasize that the investigation is still open.
News about the text comes from CBS4, which spoke with Silva's mother, Diana, about the slaying of her son.
"It's bittersweet," she says. "You know, I'm glad we got the guy, but it doesn't bring Tony back."
Silva's death followed a series of bad breaks. He loved the Army and wanted to re-enlist, but a back injury put an end to this plan. So he began his journey home -- but on the night before his death, United Airlines canceled his flight. According to his parents, the airline recommended that Silva stay at a Motel 6 on Paris Street, where he was planning to meet his dad. He was last seen taking his beloved dog for a walk.
Thus far, the Denver Police Department hasn't released a photo of Scott, who reportedly has a record marked by arrests for drug possession and extortion, among other things. He was arrested at his west-side home, where at least one of his neighbors overheard a conversation that sounded "gangsta" to her. That the investigation is continuing suggests the possibility of more arrests in this tragic case.
Look below to see a CBS4 video, followed by our previous coverage -- including a photo of Silva with his dog.
Original item, 7:37 a.m. August 29: In late July, Army Sergeant Anthony Silva was staying at a Motel 6 on Paris Street shortly before a planned return to his Illinois hometown. But shortly after taking his dog for a walk, Silva was found dead.
Now, 22-year-old Ricky Scott has been arrested in connection with the murder.
Silva was reportedly planning to meet his dad at the hotel. He'd wanted to stay in the Army, but a back injury reportedly put the kibosh on his plans to re-enlist. And there's no doubt he loved his pets, as witnessed by this photo the Denver Police Department released following his slaying:
At this point, the DPD hasn't released a mug shot of Scott or much information about his capture, other than that it took place Thursday evening near a motel on West 37th Avenue. But this development is undoubtedly a relief to the Silva family, and to everyone who's been following this awful incident.More from our Mile High Murder archive: "Fatal shooting on 1800 block of Kendall Street in Lakewood, cops seek three suspects (10)."
