In the cold of a Denver evening on January 22, 2020, the life of 17-year-old Jeremiah Baca was tragically cut short. The young man, a male, was shot during what authorities believe was an attempted robbery in the 2600 block of West Colorado Avenue. In the moments that followed the shooting, which occurred around 5:00 p.m., a silver Honda Civic rushed him to an urgent care facility located in the 1300 block of South Federal Boulevard.
He was left at the clinic, suffering from at least one gunshot wound, and later died from his injuries at a hospital.
The Denver Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the homicide, seeking help from the public to identify a 2006-2008 silver Honda Civic with damage to the rear driver's side that was connected to the case. Their efforts led to a significant breakthrough nearly two months later. On March 10, 2020, police arrested 21-year-old Adalberto Chavez and 23-year-old Ricardo Padilla-Gonzalez. Shortly after, a juvenile male was also taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting.
All three individuals are being held for investigation of first-degree murder. Evidence gathered by investigators indicates that the shooting of Jeremiah Baca occurred while the three suspects were attempting to commit a robbery. While the arrests brought a measure of progress in the case, the community and Baca's family were left to mourn the violent loss of a young life. The arrest affidavits remain sealed, limiting public access to the specific details of the evidence that led to the capture of the three suspects.
