At least 10 people were injured after an overnight shooting in an area of Denver where basketball fans had been celebrating the Nuggets’ historic NBA title, authorities said Tuesday.
Ricardo Vasquez, who was taken into custody, also suffered a gunshot wound that was not thought to be life-threatening, according to Denver Police Major Crimes Division Commander Matt Clark. Vasquez was chased by officers on foot, and found with a firearm and suspected fentanyl pills, Clark said.
“We’re still working to understand the motive that ultimately led to the shooting,” Clark said. “In this case there appears to be a drug nexus for this.”
A second person, Raoul Jones, was arrested in connection with the investigation after officers contacted people in a vehicle across the street from the shooting. Officers recovered a firearm under the driver’s seat floorboard.
It’s unclear whether Vasquez or Jones fired any shots or were at fault for any injuries, police said.
Three other firearms were found following the shooting, Clark said, but additional forensic work will be required to see which guns were fired. At least 20 rounds were found by police at the scene, according to Clark.
The shooting unfolded as celebrations were underway in the area after the Nuggets sealed their first NBA championship with a 94-89 win against the Miami Heat.
Officers who were already in the area monitoring the celebrations heard gunshots and rushed toward the sound, according to surveillance footage played at a press conference Tuesday.
A total of 10 people were taken to Denver Health, four of which required emergency surgery, Eric Campion, a Denver Health trauma surgeon, said. All patients appeared to be in fair condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
Denver Chief of Police Ron Thomas said Tuesday he does not believe the violence was related to the celebration and noted that many were peacefully gathered following the Nuggets victory.
“There does appear to be a collection of individuals who are engaged in some fashion at some point in time and you begin to see an altercation,” Thomas said. “And I think at the tail end of that altercation is where shots were exchanged.”
Police believe some of the injured parties may have been involved in the altercation, but that innocent bystanders were also hurt in the gunfire.
“I think, you know, the two elephants in the room that I think it’s important to address is that there’s far too many guns that are in our communities today,” Thomas said. “We have a tremendous problem with fentanyl in our community today.”
Thomas called those things “key elements” in the shooting.
Vasquez, 22, is being held on charges of possession of a weapon by a previous offender and possession of a controlled substance. It’s unclear if he has retained an attorney.
Jones, 33, is being held on a charge of possession of a weapon by a previous offender. It’s unclear whether he was retained an attorney.
Court records were not immediately available for either of the men.
Associated Press contributed.
