In the spring of 2019, the life of 24-year-old Guan-Nyanyak Riek was tragically cut short in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. On the evening of Friday, May 10th, shortly before 7:30 p.m., Riek was shot in the 2300 block of Welton Street. First responders rushed him to Denver Health, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner later confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound and officially ruled the manner of death a homicide.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly, and Denver Police identified a suspect in connection with the fatal incident. Thirty-four-year-old Kalvin Thompson was taken into custody and is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder in Riek's death. To protect the integrity of their ongoing investigation, law enforcement officials requested that photographs of the suspect not be publicly disseminated.
Guan-Nyanyak Riek, born on September 30, 1994, was remembered by those who knew him as a smart and funny individual who enjoyed playing football in his youth. His violent and untimely death left a void in the lives of his family and friends. The circumstances that led to the confrontation on that May evening remain part of the ongoing legal proceedings against the man accused of ending his life.
