In the fall of 2020, a trip to a Colorado campground ended in tragedy for a young man from Texas. Michael Patrick Mack, a 30-year-old male, was fatally shot on November 11, 2020, at a KOA Campground in Pueblo County. A vibrant life, marked by service to his community and country, was abruptly cut short.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene following reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Michael with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
He was an employee of Odessa Fire Rescue in Texas, working as a firefighter and EMT. His dedication to helping others was a recurring theme in the memories shared by those who knew him, who remembered him as an outstanding and greatly missed individual.
The investigation into Michael's death quickly led to a suspect. His coworker and fellow Odessa firefighter, Evan Gaw, was found in a nearby field and taken into custody. Gaw was subsequently charged in connection with the shooting. The incident sent shockwaves through their fire department and the City of Odessa, which publicly extended its deepest condolences to the Mack family.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Evan Gaw pleaded guilty to manslaughter. A charge of second-degree murder was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. In March 2022, Gaw was sentenced to six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for his role in the death of his colleague.
