On the evening of April 1, 2023, Erika Monique Thornton, a 36-year-old female, was found shot in Aurora, Colorado. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. near a King Soopers at East 6th Avenue and Del Mar Circle. A neighbor discovered her bleeding and flagged down police. Responding Aurora police officers performed CPR at the scene before she was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Tragically, Thornton later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office officially identified Erika Monique Thornton and determined her death to be a homicide caused by a gunshot wound. In the initial stages of the investigation, the Aurora Police Department had not made any arrests and did not provide a description of any suspect or suspects. Detectives from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit began an investigation into the fatal shooting.
In their efforts to gather information, investigators appealed to the public for assistance. They asked anyone who lived in the vicinity and might have home surveillance video from the evening of April 1, between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., to contact them. The Aurora Police Department also urged anyone with any information regarding the homicide to come forward. A reward of up to $2,000 was offered by Metro Denver Crime Stoppers for tips leading to an arrest, with the assurance that tipsters could remain anonymous. As of the latest available online reports, there has been no public announcement of any arrests made or suspects identified in connection with the death of Erika Monique Thornton.
