MONDAY UPDATE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND 9NEWS: A manhunt is under way today for a single suspect accused of gunning down a decorated police detective and wounding another officer in what the mayor called a “cold-blooded murder” outside a private party early Sunday.
Detectives Donald R. “Donnie” Young and John Bishop were providing security for a baptism celebration at the Salon Ocampo hall, police said. Young was shot three times and fatally wounded. Bishop, who was also shot, was treated at Denver Health Medical Centerand has been released.
Check back with DenverPost.com through the day for more on this developing story.
Denver police launched an all-out search Sunday for a man who ambushed two uniformed officers working off-duty, killing one and wounding the other.
Detective Donald R. “Donnie” Young, 43, was shot three times around 1 a.m. Sunday while providing security at a party at the Salon Ocampo social hall, 1733 W. Mississippi Ave. Young was shot in the head and the side.
Fellow Detective John Bishop, an eight-year veteran assigned to the child-abuse unit, was shot in the back but was not seriously hurt. Police said a bulletproof vest likely saved his life.
Young is the first Denver officer killed in nearly five years, and he is the first officer shot to death since 1997. Young, a 12-year veteran assigned to the fugitive/bomb unit, is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In a news conference at police headquarters, Chief Gerry Whitman said the officers were shot from behind and never had a chance to defend themselves. He said the motive is not known.
“I don’t ever remember a Denver police officer being ambushed in this manner,” Whitman said. “I think it’s just disgusting.
“The department’s going to do anything it can to bring this person or persons to justice.”
Mayor John Hickenlooper returned from a Chicago conference Sunday after learning of the shooting and spoke to the officer’s wife by phone.
“This was cold-blooded murder. And we will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “I know that the people of Denver join with me in sending prayers of comfort to officer Young’s family and wishing officer Bishop a speedy recovery.”
Police had two men in custody for questioning but said they believed the shooter was still at large. Authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information.
Young and Bishop had ejected four people from the private party after they tried to crash the event, but it was unclear whether that incident was related to the shooting, police said.
The officers were at the door as the party let out at Salon Ocampo. Police said hundreds of people were there.
A man walked toward the door and started firing with a handgun, Whitman said. Neither officer could return fire.
Witnesses told 9News they heard five shots.
Two officers working off-duty across the street heard the shots and came running. They found the officers down and radioed in at 1:05 a.m.
Young was pronounced dead at Denver Health Medical Center at 1:33 a.m.
Bishop was taken to the hospital, treated and released. Officials said he was resting at home Sunday.
The shooter fled the scene on foot. He is described as a heavyset Hispanic man between 20 and 25 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, with very short hair, a full face, a thin mustache and a tattoo on his left arm. He was wearing a white shirt and either khaki or light brown pants.
Police questioned about 80 witnesses at the scene, Whitman said.
Whitman said the news of Young’s death was met with shock and disbelief.
“The officers were just heartbroken,” he said.
Denver Police Protective Association president Mike Mosco asked anyone with information to “come forth and assist investigators in their pursuit of this brazen criminal.”
Young is the first Denver officer killed in uniform since officer Dennis Licata died in September 2000 in a motorcycle accident. He is the first Denver police officer shot to death since Bruce VanderJagt on Nov. 12, 1997.
In 2004, 69 police officers were slain nationwide, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Whitman said anyone who knows the suspect or witnessed the shooting has a duty to come forward. The shooter, he said, has displayed a callous disregard for others’ lives.
“I think he’s about as dangerous as you can possibly be,” Whitman said.
Many officers were angry, calling the shooting “cowardly,” “dastardly” and worse.
“It was an execution,” said Sgt. Dave Williams, a 30-year veteran helping maintain the perimeter of the investigation area Sunday morning.
Lt. Tony Lopez, who often worked with Young at Salon Ocampo, said Young worked Saturday at the downtown Cinco de Mayo celebration before heading to his off-duty job.
Lopez said officers rarely had problems at Salon Ocampo and that the parties are usually joyous occasions.
“It’s normally a very happy time,” Lopez said. “This guy came in with the intent to murder.”
“I don’t think Donnie ever knew what happened. I don’t think he ever saw it coming,” Lopez said. “He was murdered. I don’t know why someone would do something this cowardly and dastardly to a man as fine as Donnie.”
Staff writer Katy Human contributed to this report.
Staff writer Sean Kelly can be reached at skelly@denverpost.com or 303-820- 1858.
Denver police Detective Donald R. “Donnie” Young, 43, was shot early Sunday while providing off-duty security. The 12-year department veteran became the first Denver officer killed in uniform since 2000 and the first officer fatally shot since 1997. Young, assigned to the fugitive/bomb unit, is survived by his wife, Kelly, and two daughters, ages 13 and 5. Detective John Bishop, an eight-year veteran assigned to the child-abuse unit, was shot in the back but not seriously hurt. He was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Recent Denver police deaths
September 2000: Officer Dennis Licata is killed when his motorcycle collides with a car while he rushes to a construction accident.
November 1997: Officer Bruce VanderJagt is shot and killed by robbery suspect Matthaeus Jaehnig, who later kills himself with the officer’s gun.
March 1997: Rookie officer Ronald DeHerrera is killed on Federal Boulevard when a teenager driving a stolen car slams into his patrol car. Gil Webb, 17 at the time, is sentenced to nine years in prison.
February 1995: Officer Shawn Leinen is killed by Raymond Gone when he tries to question the teenager about a car theft. Gone, 16 at the time, is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
February 1988: Detective Robert Wallis is run down by a robbery suspect fleeing in a stolen truck. The suspect is shot and killed by police.
June 1987: Police recruit James Wier is killed by a shotgun blast while responding to a domestic dispute. Suspect Charles Tarr later is found dead in his home.
December 1986: Patrolman Patrick Pollock is shot and killed while responding to a robbery on East Colfax Avenue. Pollock’s partner, Dan Saracino, fatally wounds the fleeing suspect.
Sources: Denver Post archives, Denver Police
