In the quiet Mar Lee neighborhood of Denver, a fatal encounter unfolded on the evening of January 12, 2025, forever altering the lives of those involved. Aaron Roybal, a 52-year-old male, was shot and killed near the intersection of South Sheridan Boulevard and West Wyoming Place. The events leading to his death began in the parking lot of a nearby dispensary.
Surveillance footage from the dispensary captured both Roybal and his alleged assailant, 18-year-old Giovanni Gonzalez, at the
location. While inside the establishment, there appeared to be no interaction between the two men. The situation escalated in the parking lot as both men were preparing to leave. After a brief, unclear exchange between the occupants of the two vehicles, both drove away from the dispensary. However, Gonzalez allegedly made a U-turn and pulled up next to Roybal's vehicle at the intersection.
Video evidence shows Roybal exiting his vehicle, at which point a green laser dot appeared on his chest before he was fatally shot and collapsed to the ground. Denver Police officers responded to a shots-fired call around 9 p.m. and found Roybal deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Giovanni Gonzalez on January 27, 2025. He is currently being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, with the Denver District Attorney's Office responsible for the final determination of charges. Two days after the homicide, a woman reportedly sold the suspected murder weapon to someone on Facebook for $800. An initial investigation suggested that an altercation outside a business between the suspect and the victim escalated to the shooting. Roybal was remembered as a beloved father of three sons, a devoted coach who mentored young athletes, and an active member of his church community where he served on the security and prayer teams.
