In the early hours of October 12, 2016, tragedy struck in Denver, Colorado, forever altering the lives of those who knew and loved Deonta Mcdonald. The 19-year-old Black male, known affectionately as “D” or “Slim,” was shot at approximately 1:00 a.m. in the 1300 block of S. Birch St. He was found with a gunshot wound at the doorway of an apartment and was quickly transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Deonta had just stepped outside the apartment
where he was staying when a spray of bullets ended his life. His roommates were inside at the time and narrowly avoided being hit themselves. The shooter or shooters fled the scene before police arrived, leaving behind a community to grapple with the sudden and violent loss. In the wake of his death, friends and family gathered for a candlelight vigil, remembering a young man they described as a natural leader who was well-respected within his community.
Family members remembered Deonta as the oldest of six children, a positive-minded and caring individual with a great sense of humor and an optimistic outlook on life. He was known for his kindness and big heart, and for being a role model who looked out for his younger siblings. His mother shared that he had aspirations of starting a food bank to help homeless single mothers and mentoring young boys growing up without fathers. He was described as a leader among his peers in a neighborhood where gang affiliation was a common path for many youths.
The investigation into Deonta Mcdonald's death is ongoing, and it is being treated as a homicide. As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Metro Denver Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $2,000 for any information that leads to the prosecution of those responsible for his death. The Denver Police Department continues to seek information from the public regarding this cold case.
