I only put the question mark up there to avoid legal consequences. It’s pretty clear that this story of a resident wresting a gun from “would be robbers” and capping one his “acquaintances” is a tale of a drug deal gone bad. As are most home invasions. Although, as I pointed out in The Truth About Home Invasions, there aren’t any reliable stats in that regard. Anyway, this saga from denverpost.com is pretty riveting stuff in a Tarantino-esque kinda way . . .
A man living near the University of Denver wrestled a gun from one of three would-be robbers Tuesday night and shot him dead.
The dead man was identified Wednesday by the Denver coroner’s office as Daniel Deleon, 32. He died of a single wound to the abdomen.
The incident occurred about 11:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of South Williams Street.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the three suspects initially went to the home as “visitors” but suddenly pulled guns on the occupants.
One of the male residents of the house grabbed one of the guns and shot one of the robbers. The other two suspects — a man and a woman — fled and were being sought by police. The male suspect was identified as Zachary Montoya, 32; the woman was not identified.
Jackson said the would-be robbers were acquaintances of residents.
Casual acquaintances? Business colleagues? Old school chums? Enquiring minds want to know!
A man who lives in the home told 9News on Wednesday night that he was the shooter, but he did not give his name.
He told the television station that he was asleep and that the three suspects had kicked in his bedroom door, then dragged him and his pregnant girlfriend down into the basement, tying their wrists with zip ties.
The man told 9News that while another resident of the home was struggling with the robbers, he was able to free his hands, grab the gun and shoot Deleon.
Isaac Florez, a recent graduate of DU who lives next door, said two men from New Mexico recently moved into the home where the shooting occurred . . .
Florez and his mother, Irene Fernandez, said the rental home had turned into a “party house” since the new occupants moved in about a month ago.
Hey-ay-ay-ay-ay-yi-ay. It’s a party in the USA!
Meanwhile, here’s a tip for people who use illegal drugs but don’t want to end up in their own basement with their hands zip-tied: don’t be lazy. Go get your drugs and bring them back to your house. Also note: this isn’t likely to happen with the guy at the liquor store, although alcohol is the number one drug of choice by shooters. Go figure.
[Thanks to Patrick Brown for the tip.]
