In the quiet moments just before midnight on December 22, 2022, a sense of unease settled over a Northglenn, Colorado, apartment complex. Inside one of the units at 11801 Washington St., 40-year-old Joshua James Littell, a man known for his contagious laughter and love of cooking for others, was found fatally shot. A woman returning home from work discovered him on the floor and immediately called 911, attempting CPR until first responders arrived.
Despite her efforts and those of the police and medical personnel who followed, Joshua was pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua, born on May 6, 1982, in Brighton, Colorado, was remembered by loved ones as a talented chef who found joy in preparing meals for anyone and everyone. He was a man who was always upbeat, striving to see the good in people, and cherished the time he spent with his son. His sudden and violent death left a profound void in the lives of his family, including his mother, son, and siblings.
The investigation into Joshua's death led Northglenn Police to an 18-year-old suspect, Dartagnan Smith. In early January 2023, the Adams County District Attorney's Office announced that Smith had been charged in connection with the fatal shooting. The charges brought against him were severe, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and aggravated robbery, suggesting a motive beyond the act of violence itself. The case against Smith was set to proceed through the court system, with a future appearance scheduled for March 31 of that year.
