Update: Earlier this week, we updated you on the condition of Cori Romero, who was shot in the neck while driving on Interstate 25 in Larimer County; see our previous coverage below.
Romero's case was one of five in which the car windows of commuters were shattered on northern Colorado roadways over the span of about a week.
The latest? The number of window shatterings is up to seven — and even as law enforcers try to calm fears about a serial sniper on the loose, they're increasing patrols in an attempt to bring this troubling trend to a close.
As noted in our earlier post, the Romero incident was the third of five window shatterings reported as of 8:19 a.m. on Wednesday morning, April 29.
However, two more followed in quick succession. According to 7News, the latest happenings took place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the 29th, both on Interstate 25 — one near mile marker 257, the other in the vicinity of mile marker 276.
A Larimer County Sheriff's Office release doesn't specify the total shatterings; instead, it refers to "multiple reports...on or near Interstate 25."
The LCSO adds that "to date, no evidence has been found to indicate any of the windows were damaged by a firearm projectile" with the exception of the one that injured Romero.
In the meantime, investigators from assorted agencies in the area are "using crime analysis procedures to track the incidents in efforts to establish potential patterns," as well as increasing patrols "in areas where these incidents have been reported."
If you have any information about these cases, you're encouraged to contact the sheriff's office at 970-416-1985 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868.
Regarding Romero, donations to her GoFundMe page, created to help defray her health-care costs, are just shy of $4,000 at this writing. The goal is $10,000.
Continue for a 7News interview with Romero, followed by more about her case and the northern Colorado window shatterings in general.
Update, 8:19. a.m. April 29: Last week, we told you about a twenty-year-old woman who was shot in the neck while driving on Interstate 25 in Larimer County. See our previous coverage below.
The woman was subsequently identified as Cori Romero of Milliken, and at last report, she remains hospitalized as a result of the injuries she sustained — and an online fundraiser is seeking donations to assist with her escalating health-care expenses.
Meanwhile, a total of five instances when car windows were shattered have been reported on northern Colorado roadways in recent days — and while there's no confirmation thus far that the others involved gunshots, there are concerns that someone is targeting traffic in the area.
After the shooting, a photo was tweeted of Romero in the hospital — and as you can see, the image is decidedly optimistic:
Here's how the incident is described on Romero's GoFundMe page, entitled "Kindness Conquers Crime:"
On April 23rd, Cori was on her way home from a late night shift at work when a car pulled alongside her, shot into her car hitting her in the neck. She was rushed to the hospital and surgery was performed to repair the damage sustained from the shooting. She is now on a long road to recovery and will be unable to work for an indefinite amount of time. Due to this random senseless act, she is now facing an overwhelming financial burden following her recovery at home through no fault of her own.Since the shooting of Romero, other examples of car windows being shattered in the area have cropped up.
According to Fox31, the first example took place at around 11:15 a.m. on April 21, when the right-passenger window of a Larimer County Sheriff's Office van transporting three inmates was shattered.
The second incident took place around 10 p.m. on April 22. The rear window of a vehicle was shattered near the Loveland intersection of East Eisenhower Boulevard and North Cleveland Avenue.
The Romero shooting fell third in line.
Then, about noon that same day, April 23, the driver's side window of a vehicle shattered as it traveled on Weld County Road 49 just past WCR 26. And incident five happened around 9:40 a.m. April 28 close to the exit for Larimer County Road 50.
At this point, law enforcers in the various jurisdictions aren't linking the incidents or suggesting that a single person or group is responsible. But the assorted investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the amount of money donated to Romero's cause is in excess of $3,600 at this writing. Romero writes: "Hey everyone!! I just wanted to say thank you so much for your generosity. It has proven to be an uphill battle but with faith, strength and courage, it will tend to get better."
To learn more, click here.
Look below to see the aforementioned Fox31 report, followed by our previous coverage.
Original post, 5:34 a.m. April 23: A horrific scene played out late last night on Interstate 25.
According to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, a woman was driving when a bullet shattered a window and lodged in her neck.
Miraculously, she survived the wound, although her condition isn't known at this time.
Here's what we know thus far.
At approximately 11:16 p.m. on April 22, the LCSO notes that deputies responded to a stretch of I-25 north of Highway 392 and south of the East Harmony Road exit.
The area is captured in the following interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View on Google Maps."
At this writing, the victim has only been identified as a twenty-year-old woman from the northern Colorado community of Milliken .
She told deputies she was traveling along this stretch headed southbound when the front driver's side window of her vehicle exploded. She'd been shot in the neck.
Somehow, she managed to stop her vehicle safely and dial 911.
Afterward, she was transported to an area hospital.
Thus far, there's no information about the circumstances that may have led to the shooting. Neither has there been a description shared of the other vehicle or the person who pulled the trigger.
If you have can shed any light on the incident, you're encouraged to contact the Larimer County Sheriff's Office at 970-416-1985 or Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868.
In the meantime, our best wishes to the victim of this startling crime.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
