Isaiah Alonso Mota, a young man remembered by loved ones as easy-going, loving, and the heart of his family, was killed in a shooting in downtown Denver. Born on December 18, 2003, the 22-year-old from Thornton, Colorado, was known for his kind, caring, and silly nature. Those who had the privilege of knowing Isaiah will carry forward the memory of the laughter and support he offered. He leaves behind his parents, Maria Burnias and Joshua Sanchez, and his brothers, Luis Burnias and Joshua J.
Sanchez, along with cherished memories for his many friends and relatives.
In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 26, 2026, an altercation in a parking lot in Denver’s Lower Downtown neighborhood turned deadly. Shortly after 1 a.m., a fight broke out between two groups in the 1900 block of Market Street, an area near Coors Field often busy with nightlife. The conflict quickly escalated, and gunfire erupted, shattering the night. When police arrived, they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds.
All three victims were rushed to Denver Health Medical Center for treatment. Isaiah Alonso Mota succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner later confirmed his death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. The two other men who were shot were hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition.
The Denver Police Department is leading the investigation into the shooting. Detectives believe the incident stemmed directly from the fight that preceded it. In the days following the shooting, investigators worked to develop information about a suspect, but no arrests were immediately made, and no description of any potential perpetrator was released to the public. The area of the shooting, near the baseball stadium, is a mix of apartment buildings, bars, and restaurants.
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They made a public appeal for witnesses who might have photos or videos from the area around 19th and Market streets at the time of the shooting to contact them. Investigators believe such evidence could be crucial in identifying those responsible for Isaiah's death.
A viewing for Isaiah was held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery in Thornton, followed by a funeral service the next day at the Crossroads Community Center in Northglenn. His family and friends gathered to mourn the young man whose life was cut short by violence. Online, tributes remembered "ZayZay," with one person writing, "you will forever be missed and remembered."
As of October 2026, the investigation into Isaiah Mota's homicide remains active and ongoing. No arrests have been announced. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, where tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
