In the quiet town of Canon City, Colorado, the life of 27-year-old Ashton Ladd, a white/caucasian male, was tragically cut short on the evening of January 7, 2020. Ladd, a local resident and father to a young daughter, was found with a fatal gunshot wound on the doorsteps of a home in the 200 block of North 3rd Street. When officers arrived at the scene shortly after 8 p.m., following reports of yelling and gunshots, Ladd was already deceased.
The investigation into the shooting led
Canon City police to identify a suspect, 54-year-old Kenneth Sweet. Initially, two men were detained for questioning in connection with the incident, but ultimately only Sweet was arrested. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. Investigators believe that Ladd and Sweet were acquaintances.
Accounts from witnesses indicate that the tragic events unfolded after Ladd had been at Sweet's house earlier in the evening with another man. Ladd reportedly left the residence and then returned after having an argument with his stepfather. Upon his return, as he recounted the altercation to Sweet, a confrontation ensued between the two men. According to a witness statement, the situation escalated when Sweet got too close to Ladd, who then slapped Sweet across the face. In response, Sweet is said to have retrieved a gun and shot Ladd outside the home. Sweet was taken into custody by officers who arrived minutes after the shooting.
