In the early morning hours of November 5, 2021, a night of celebration in Denver, Colorado, turned into a tragedy that would forever alter the lives of three young men and their families. Qalab Moges Dessita, a 23-year-old Black man, was out with his friends, 23-year-old Jordan and 26-year-old Elijah, to celebrate a birthday. The friends were traveling in a car near Park Avenue and Larimer when their vehicle was suddenly ambushed.
In a violent and unexpected attack, someone opened fire on their car.
The shooting brought a chaotic and terrifying end to their night. The car eventually wrecked near Park Avenue and Globeville Road. In the aftermath, it was discovered that all three occupants had been shot. Jordan suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach, and Elijah was shot in the leg. Both were injured but survived the harrowing ordeal. Tragically, Qalab Dessita did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead. He was described by a friend's mother as being 'as sweet as gold' and 'somebody that you would want to be your son.'
In the wake of the shooting, the Denver Police Department launched an investigation into the triple shooting. However, the case has remained unsolved, with no suspects publicly identified or arrested. The lack of answers has left the families of the victims, particularly Qalab's mother, heartbroken and seeking justice. The incident is one of many unsolved homicides from 2021 in Denver, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on the community. Both Jordan and Elijah returned home from the hospital to face a long road to recovery, forever marked by the night they lost their good friend.
