On a Sunday evening in Aurora, Colorado, a young man's life was cut short in a sudden act of violence. Ryan William Thompson, a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on February 23, 2014, outside of a liquor store in a strip mall located on the 15200 block of East Smoky Hill Road. The incident occurred at approximately 8:25 p.m., a time when the area was likely still bustling with activity.
According to friends who were with him, the altercation that led to the shooting was brief and
seemingly minor. Thompson was with a group of friends when a question was posed to a teenager who was also present. The teen reportedly became frightened, pulled out a gun, and fired multiple times at Thompson before fleeing the scene. Thompson was left in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency services were called, and Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The college student, who had been attending classes at the Auraria campus, was described by a close friend as one of the 'sweetest, down-to-earth guys.' The night of the shooting, more than 100 people gathered for a vigil to remember him.
The investigation into Thompson's death moved quickly. With the help of eyewitness tips, Aurora police located a possible suspect vehicle the following day. Shortly after, a 17-year-old male suspect turned himself in to the authorities and was taken into custody. Reports suggested that there had been an 'ongoing dispute' between Thompson and the suspect. Authorities were also investigating if others were in the vehicle that fled the scene, as they could also face charges. The case was expected to be handed over to the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office to determine if the teenage suspect would be charged as an adult.
