Colorado Teen Accused of Shooting at Brighton House Party

Suspect allegedly fled scene, leading to crash that injured another woman

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:15am

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A 19-year-old Colorado woman named Casandra Rocha-Martinez has been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and vehicular assault after allegedly opening fire on a crowd at a house party in Brighton, injuring three people, and then fleeing the scene in a vehicle that crashed, injuring another woman.

Why it matters

Gun violence at house parties is an ongoing concern in Colorado communities, with incidents like this highlighting the need for improved safety measures and conflict resolution at social gatherings. The case also raises questions about bail and pre-trial release policies for young offenders accused of violent crimes.

The details

According to Brighton police, the shooting occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday near Bridge Street and South 8th Avenue. Investigators believe the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation outside the house party. Rocha-Martinez allegedly fired multiple shots from a handgun toward people in the front yard, striking three individuals - a 23-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and a 24-year-old woman. The two women suffered critical but stable gunshot wounds, while the man was treated and released from the hospital.

  • The shooting occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • Rocha-Martinez was arrested following the incident and taken to the Adams County Jail.

The players

Casandra Rocha-Martinez

A 19-year-old Colorado woman who has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and vehicular assault for the shooting and subsequent crash.

Brighton Police Department

The law enforcement agency investigating the shooting and crash incident.

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What’s next

Rocha-Martinez is due to appear in court in the coming days, where a judge will determine whether to grant her bail as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of gun violence, particularly among young people, and ensuring that appropriate safety protocols and conflict de-escalation measures are in place at large social gatherings to prevent such senseless acts of violence.