In a tragic turn of events on May 3, 2020, Austin 'AJ' Nielsen, a 22-year-old White/Caucasian male from Greeley, Colorado, was fatally shot. The incident, which also resulted in the death of a 17-year-old male, unfolded in the 1200 block of 18th Street, near the University of Northern Colorado campus.
According to the Greeley Police Department's investigation, which involved processing the crime scene, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing security footage, Nielsen had arranged to meet the juvenile to sell him marijuana. An argument erupted between the two over the price of the marijuana. The dispute escalated tragically when both individuals drew handguns and shot each other simultaneously.
Following the exchange of gunfire, the 17-year-old, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, stumbled down the street before collapsing and was pronounced dead at the scene. Nielsen, who was shot in the head while in the driver's seat of his vehicle, accidentally depressed the accelerator. His car then sped down 18th Street before crashing into two other vehicles at 11th Avenue. Nielsen was transported to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.
Law enforcement recovered both handguns and their spent shell casings from the scene. As the investigation concluded that the two individuals fatally shot each other, there were no subsequent arrests made or suspects sought in connection with the incident. Both males were residents of Greeley.
