Confronting someone who is doing something illegal is already a scary prospect. But confronting someone doing something that could very well include a weapon of some kind is probably even more terrifying.
Denver police are warning residents in a Facebook post not to confront people breaking into their vehicles after two men were shot and killed in separate incidents over the span of just eight days. What’s especially tragic is that neither victim was armed.
In both cases, investigators say the victims confronted people who were either breaking into or attempting to steal their vehicles. Both men were ultimately shot and killed.
At this point, investigators have not determined whether the two killings are connected. Police are still working to identify suspects in both cases, though officials say investigators have already made progress.
Two Vehicle Confrontations Ended in Tragedy Just Days Apart
According to police, the first incident happened at approximately 1:15 am on June 24 in the 15000 block of East Olmsted Place. The second occurred just before midnight on June 30 in the 4300 block of Pecos Street.
Needless to say, most people can understand the instinct to protect their property. Vehicles are expensive, and nobody wants to stand by while someone steals or damages something they’ve worked hard to pay for.
Some of the advice given by the Denver Police Department includes, “As with any crime in progress, residents are strongly encouraged to avoid engaging with suspects and assume they may be armed, call 911, and be a good witness who can share relevant details with responding police officers.”
The Facebook Warning Sparked Strong Reactions Online
One of the top comments blames the city itself for the car thefts, reading, “This is because you have told the city that you will not go after car thieves or protect us. This is literally your fault. You have told me and my neighbors to our faces you would rather arrest us than intervene. The criminals know this. It is open season on property crime. How about you use the gigantic tax incentive we just gave you and do something about it. Until then, we will fend for ourselves as usual.”
Similarly, another person wrote, “This is completely bad advice Colorado is a stand your ground state you don’t have to be a victim go to self defense classes carry a weapon and learn to defend yourself you don’t have to be a victim you don’t have to be a victim defend yourselves.”
Honestly, it’s hard not to sympathize with people who want to protect something as valuable as their vehicle. But these recent incidents serve as a sobering reminder that no car, truck, or SUV is worth risking your life over.
Denver police say investigators have made progress in both homicide cases and continue working to identify those responsible. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867, where tips can be submitted anonymously.
The city and or state needs to make the punishment for auto theft more severe. Also the liberal justice system needs convict these people and not just slap them on the wrist.
The mayor of Denver is a communist and the police do what they are told or they will be fired. Their paycheck is more important than your lives and this will continue until we can elect people that will protect the citizens of Colorado and not the illegal aliens and criminals that our hard earned tax dollars go to feed, house, educate and money that is taken form medicate and medicaid and bankrupt Colorado hospitals.
Criminal illegal aliens are protected in this state by the governor and the mayors of the cities of Colorado and the victim is treated as the criminal. Only until they or their families are harmed will this stop but that won’t happen because they are protected by squads of armed police. Colorado’s democrat/nazi’s are so worthless and allow violent crime so they can control the people, this is what communist do and they will imprison you or execute you with Nazi’s like Jena Griswold.