In the Villa Park neighborhood of Denver, a dispute that began with a 'mean mugging' tragically escalated, leading to the death of 16-year-old Rosando Anthony Martinez, a male, on May 30, 2018. The incident also claimed the life of 25-year-old Raymond Flores and left a 15-year-old critically injured.
The events unfolded near a grocery store in the 600 block of Perry Street.
According to the surviving victim, he, Martinez, and Flores were in a Ford Explorer when they passed two males who gave them an aggressive look. Taking offense, the three drove around the block to confront the individuals. An argument ensued in the parking lot of the Kimbo Grocery store.
During the altercation, the driver and two passengers of the Explorer reportedly threatened one of the males, identified as Angel Gallegos, with a can of bear spray. In response, Gallegos allegedly opened fire on all three individuals before fleeing the scene. When police arrived, they discovered the running Ford Explorer with its doors open and a can of bear spray in the parking lot. Martinez and Flores were transported to Denver Health Medical Center, where they both succumbed to their injuries. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner ruled their deaths as homicides.
Following an investigation, Angel Matthew Gallegos, who was 18 at the time, was identified as the suspect and taken into custody on June 1, 2018. The Denver District Attorney's office formally charged Gallegos with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree assault. Later, the charges were listed as two counts of murder in the second degree, one count of criminal attempt to commit murder in the second degree, one count of assault in the first degree, and a sentence enhancer for a crime of violence. The probable cause statement for the charges against Gallegos was sealed by the court.
