Three shootings and carjackings in Stapleton this week?

Last night, a car was stolen from the Stapleton Wal-Mart with a passenger inside. The passenger was shot and killed, the car was dumped a few blocks away. See 9News.

Yesterday, we got a Crime Stoppers Alert that says:

"Between Sunday October, 26th, 2008 at 11:15 pm and Tuesday October 28th, 2008 at 7:00 pm there have been reported Aggravated Assaults in the area of MLK and Central Park Blvd where victims reported that an unknown male approached their vehicles and shot at them. In the first incident, the suspects fled the scene in what was described as a gold SUV. The victims described the suspect as possibly a Hispanic or White Male between the age of 18 – 21 years of age, 5’6” to 5’10” tall. In both incidents the suspects face was covered with a red bandana or red scarf. If you have any information please call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867)."


Tonight is Halloween, some Stapleton moms are understandably pretty shaken up by this, especially those who live along the Central Park Boulevard corridor. Forget about wearing a red bandana as part of your costume!

**UPDATE** FROM SUN || STAPLETON UNITED NEIGHBORS ** 11/1/08 **

Stapleton Residents,

I wanted to give you an update on what is happening to prevent any further assaults or car jacking incidents in Stapleton. Members of the Stapleton United Neighbors Board have been in close contact with the Denver Police Department in District 2, as well as with Councilman Michael Hancock, and here is what we can report:

1) After the first assault/car jacking attempt incident on Sunday, Denver Police Department ramped up patrols in Stapleton. Michael Hancock even went on a ride-along with the police last night so that he was fully aware of what was being done to prevent any further incidents. He said that at least 10-12 police cars were patrolling Stapleton last night, and that the Denver Police Department will continue to saturate Stapleton with police patrols until these cases are solved.

2) The first two incidents from earlier in the week appear to be unrelated to the third incident (which occurred last night at the Wal-Mart). The Wal-Mart incident appears to have been a drug deal gone bad.

3) The assaults do NOT appear to be gang related. Police obviously cannot release all details of an ongoing investigation, but they do not currently believe that the attacks earlier this week were connected to any gangs or gang activity.

4) SUN is working on organizing a community meeting with the police department so that they can answer community questions. That is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 6, starting at 6:30pm. We are still working on a location.

The SUN Board will continue to get information out the community as quickly as possible when we know more.