Denver Reels From Spate of Deadly Shootings as Police Search for Suspects

Five people killed in a series of shootings across the city this month, including a deadly Easter Sunday attack in a north Denver park.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent .223-caliber shell casing lying on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a deadly shooting.The aftermath of a deadly shooting in a Denver park exposes the grim reality of gun violence plaguing the city.Denver Today

Denver police are still searching for suspects in a deadly Easter Sunday shooting at a north Denver park that left two people dead and shocked the community. The shooting was part of a spate of gun violence in the city this month that has claimed five lives in total across four separate incidents. Police Chief Ron Thomas provided an update on the investigations, noting that while the city saw a historically low number of homicides last year, the recent string of shootings has raised concerns about public safety.

Why it matters

The Easter Sunday shooting and other recent acts of gun violence in Denver have shaken the community and raised questions about public safety, police response, and the city's efforts to curb rising crime rates. The incidents highlight the ongoing challenges cities face in addressing gun violence and protecting residents, especially in the wake of a pandemic that has exacerbated social and economic tensions.

The details

On Easter Sunday, April 5, a group of people gathered for a barbecue at Russell Square Park in north Denver when a black Jeep Cherokee SRT began circling the park. Police say the occupants of the Jeep tried to provoke a confrontation, including by flashing gang signs. A shootout then erupted between the people in the park and those in the Jeep, with a total of 32 gunshots recorded. Two people were struck - 43-year-old Sharon Ware, who was killed by a .223-caliber rifle shot, and 18-year-old Pharrow Ware, who later died from a .40-caliber pistol wound. Police arrested a 34-year-old man from the park group, but he will not face homicide charges. The Jeep was later found abandoned and burned.

  • On April 5, Easter Sunday, the shooting occurred around 6 p.m. at Russell Square Park.
  • On April 2, Elijah Hernandez, 19, was fatally shot in a separate incident.
  • On April 5, Torin Fluker, 26, was fatally shot in another shooting.
  • On April 7, a Denver man was shot in the neck while riding a scooter near 18th and Stout streets.
  • On April 7, Joseph Frank Martinez, 58, was fatally shot by a Denver police officer.

The players

Ron Thomas

The Denver Police Chief who provided updates on the investigations into the recent shootings.

John Walsh

The Denver District Attorney whose office determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction for the 34-year-old man arrested in connection with Sharon Ware's death.

Sharon Ware

A 43-year-old woman who was killed in the Easter Sunday shooting at Russell Square Park.

Pharrow Ware

An 18-year-old who was also killed in the Easter Sunday shooting at Russell Square Park.

Tina Ware

A family member of the Easter Sunday shooting victims who expressed the community's grief and anger over the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Our family is broken right now. We're confused, we're angry. They were there on a peaceful adventure, enjoying Easter. And now, they're gone. So we want to know what happened.”

— Tina Ware, Family member of Easter Sunday shooting victims

“I would just say that my concern is still that there's an individual who seems prone to violence, who's out on the street.”

— Ron Thomas, Denver Police Chief

What’s next

Police continue to search for the shooter or shooters involved in the Easter Sunday incident at Russell Square Park, as well as suspects in the other recent shootings across Denver. The investigations are ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the perpetrators.

The takeaway

The spate of deadly shootings in Denver this month, including the tragic Easter Sunday attack, has shaken the community and raised urgent questions about public safety, police response, and the city's efforts to address rising gun violence. As the investigations continue, city leaders and law enforcement will need to work closely with residents to restore a sense of security and find long-term solutions to curb this troubling trend.