On the evening of August 25, 2021, David Lonnell Nash III, a 54-year-old Black man, left his apartment on East Alameda Place in Aurora, Colorado. He was walking toward the Bristol Pointe Liquor Store at the Bristol Shopping Center on South Buckley Road. It was just before 8 p.m., and though the sun was setting, the area was still busy with people.
As Nash approached the entrance to the shopping center, his path crossed with that of an unidentified man.
Surveillance footage from the area shows the two men exchanging words. Following this brief interaction, the stranger, described as a Black man wearing a blue backpack, appeared to double back. He then pulled out a firearm and shot David Nash multiple times. The suspect fled the scene, running through the shopping center and then west toward East Kentucky Avenue.
Police responded to multiple 911 calls about the shooting and found Nash with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, he died at the scene. The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office later confirmed that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide.
The Aurora Police Department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit launched an investigation into what appeared to be a senseless act of violence. Detectives believe the attacker was a complete stranger to Nash, and a motive for the shooting has never been established. Despite having surveillance footage and witness accounts, investigators have been unable to identify the suspect. The case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to ask for the public's help, encouraging anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, where they can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward. As of late 2025, no arrests have been made, and the family of David Nash is still waiting for answers and justice.
