In the winter of 2019, the life of 24-year-old Gayland Delanore Allen Jr., a caring man known for his big heart, was tragically cut short. On December 28th, surveillance footage captured him leaving his home in Aurora, a city near Denver, and getting into the backseat of a car. The vehicle then sped away, marking the last time he was seen alive by his family.
His loved ones grew concerned when he didn't return their calls, prompting his father to check the security cameras and subsequently report him missing on December 30th.
What began as a missing person case took a dark turn as investigators uncovered suspicious circumstances. A few days later, on January 1, 2020, the investigation shifted to a homicide after human remains, later identified as Allen, were discovered in the foothills of Jefferson County. The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound. The news sent shockwaves through his community, where his family was known for their positive impact. His father, a longtime coach at Montbello High School, had mentored many young people, making the senseless violence that took his son's life even more difficult to comprehend.
The investigation swiftly led to the arrests of two teenagers, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old male named Xavion Johnson. Details emerged that Allen had been meeting with the female suspect to sell her marijuana when she arrived with three other juveniles, including Johnson. Investigators believe that Johnson, who was reportedly upset about the recent killing of his cousin, had made a chilling statement earlier that evening about wanting to 'catch a body.' In a vehicle, an altercation ensued, and Johnson shot Allen.
Following the shooting, the group drove to Lookout Mountain, where they disposed of Allen's body over a guardrail. The suspects' involvement came to light after three of the teenagers were arrested for shoplifting in Denver later that same day. In May 2021, Xavion Johnson, then 17, was sentenced to 48 years in prison for the murder of Gayland Allen Jr. The judge described the killing as 'utterly senseless.' Two of the other juveniles involved also faced sentencing for their roles in the tragic death of the young man remembered so fondly by his family and community.
