Denver Residents Demand Answers After Spate of Neighborhood Killings

Community meeting held to address recent violence in Five Points and Cole neighborhoods

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:56am

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An extreme close-up of a spent bullet casing on the ground, lit by a harsh flash, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of the recent violence in the community.A community grapples with the aftermath of a spate of deadly shootings, as residents demand answers and seek to restore a sense of safety in their neighborhood.Denver Today

Residents of northeast Denver gathered for a community meeting organized by Councilmember Darrell B. Watson to seek answers from city officials and police following a series of shootings over the past week that left three people dead in the Five Points and Cole neighborhoods. Attendees expressed a sense of proximity to the violence and the profound impact it has had on the community.

Why it matters

The recent spate of killings in a short period of time has shaken the community and raised concerns about public safety in the area. The meeting provided an opportunity for residents to voice their questions and frustrations directly to authorities, with the goal of improving communication, information-sharing, and prevention efforts.

The details

Two of the victims were killed on Easter Sunday, caught in the crossfire of a vehicle circling Russell Square Park, according to police. A third person was shot and killed days later while walking his dog in Five Points. Police said that the victim appeared to have been randomly targeted. For family members, the loss was immediate and profound, with one relative describing the community as 'broken' and 'confused'.

  • On Easter Sunday, two victims were killed in a shooting incident.
  • A third victim was shot and killed days later while walking his dog in Five Points.

The players

Darrell B. Watson

District 9 Councilmember who organized the community meeting to give neighbors a space to ask questions, get answers, and respond to the recent violence.

Aurelio Martinez

A resident who lives near 28th Street and expressed concern that the violence could have impacted anyone in the area at the time.

Tina Ware

A family member of the victims killed on Easter Sunday, who stood before the crowd searching for answers about the loss of her relatives.

Father Paul Nguyen

A community member who spoke about the broader toll of the violence on the neighborhood, saying it 'weighs more heavily' on the community.

Denver Police Department

Authorities who acknowledged a spike in gun violence in early April and said additional patrols had been deployed to the area, while also emphasizing community-based approaches to improve information-sharing and prevention efforts.

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What they’re saying

“It could've actually hit anybody in that park at that time, and that's the scary part.”

— Aurelio Martinez, Resident

“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 victims

“It does weigh more heavily on the community. Denver Police investigating a shooting, a stabbing, a whatever — and they're all close by, so it does weigh on us.”

— Father Paul Nguyen, Community member

What’s next

Police emphasized community-based approaches, encouraging residents to participate in neighborhood watch programs and to build stronger communication with officers, with the goal of improving information-sharing and prevention efforts, particularly in the aftermath of violent incidents.

The takeaway

The recent spate of killings in Denver's Five Points and Cole neighborhoods has shaken the community and raised concerns about public safety. The community meeting provided an opportunity for residents to voice their questions and frustrations directly to authorities, with the hope of improving communication, information-sharing, and prevention efforts to address the underlying issues and restore a sense of safety in the area.