In the early morning hours of February 7, 2017, the life of 32-year-old Tim Cruz was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence at a Denver RTD light rail station. Cruz, described by his family as a 'unique, big-hearted' man, was at the 12th and Sheridan station when he was approached by two masked individuals. The encounter, which occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m., was a robbery that quickly escalated to murder.
The two assailants, later identified as 19-year-olds Ever Valles
and Nathan Valdez, confronted Cruz with the intent to rob him. During the course of the robbery, Valles allegedly searched through Cruz's coat pockets. It was at this point that Valdez, without apparent provocation, fatally shot Cruz. The two then fled the scene, leaving Cruz to be pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.
The investigation into the homicide led Denver police to Valles and Valdez. Valles was arrested and subsequently implicated Valdez as the shooter. Valdez was also taken into custody a short time later. Both teenagers were charged in connection with the robbery and murder of Tim Cruz. The case drew additional attention due to the revelation that Valles, a suspected citizen of Mexico, had been flagged for possible deportation prior to the incident but was released from custody.
Ultimately, both men were brought to justice for their roles in the crime. In March 2018, Nathan Valdez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 58 years in prison. Ever Valles pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and accessory to murder and received a 29-year prison sentence. The resolution of the court cases brought a measure of closure to a tragedy that had deeply affected the community and the family of Tim Cruz, who remembered him as a man whose life was senselessly taken.
