Denver police: Home intruder shot dead by resident

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Police Department investigated a deadly shooting early Sunday morning in the city’s University neighborhood.

The shooting was in the 2300 block of East Evans Avenue.

According to police, a resident returning home was surprised by an intruder. That resident then shot the intruder.

The alleged intruder, an adult man, was pronounced dead on the scene, Denver police said.

The resident was being cooperative with police and the investigation was ongoing. The Denver Police Department told FOX31’s Courtney Fromm that the Denver District Attorney’s Office will determine if any charges will be filed. She also spoke to one of the building’s residents from the floor where the shooting occurred.

“We heard five to six gunshots then a slight pause then another four to five,” said Carter, who lives in the building and heard the shooting. “I knew right away it was gunshots so I grabbed my girlfriend and we went and hid behind the bed.”

Carter said he has lived in the building for roughly two years and said the building is relatively safe. He said the whole shooting happened on the sixth floor just feet from his front door.

“I didn’t know what was going on if it was a crazy person in the building,” Carter said. “Some of the bullets went into my wall luckily it didn’t penetrate because of the cinder block. It was just five feet from where I was sitting.”

He said after hearing the police, he felt safe to look for the commotion.

“I looked out my peephole and saw the intruder on the ground in a puddle of blood,” Carter said. “I prayed to God last night for keeping me alive and safe and my girlfriend alive and safe.”

He said he’s glad his neighbor is OK, but expressed remorse about the intruder’s death.

“I’m glad my neighbor is OK,” Carter said. “It’s sad when someone dies, but at least it wasn’t a random bystander. He very easily could have tried to break into my home.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.