A tragic incident unfolded late Saturday night at Highlands Ranch’s Main Event, resulting in one man being killed and a woman being injured in two connected shootings. The Douglas County sheriff’s officials revealed that multiple shots were fired inside the bustling arcade located off Centennial Boulevard at 11:51 p.m. on Saturday. Despite the event center being filled with people and scheduled to remain open for two more hours, chaos ensued.
Sheriff Darren Weekly disclosed during a Sunday morning news conference that a deputy, situated nearby, swiftly responded to the shooting within a minute. Upon arrival, the deputy encountered a man armed with a gun in the parking lot. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the man failed to comply and turned towards the deputy, leading to the fatal shooting. Despite efforts to save the man’s life, he succumbed to his injuries in the parking lot. The Douglas County Coroner’s Office will later release the man’s identity.
Inside Main Event, another distressing incident occurred as an unidentified woman fell victim to a gunshot wound inflicted by a 23-year-old Denver woman. The victim was promptly transported to the hospital, where she is anticipated to recover. The 23-year-old suspect was apprehended on charges of first-degree assault and attempted first-degree murder. The motives behind the man’s association with the women and the shooting within Main Event remain unclear; however, investigators believe a connection exists between the two shootings.
Sheriff Weekly emphasized the dangerous and chaotic nature of the scene, acknowledging that the situation could have escalated further. The parking lot shooting will undergo investigation by the 23rd Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team. The deputy involved in the incident will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Authorities urge any witnesses or individuals possessing information regarding the Main Event shooting to contact Douglas County investigators at 303-660-7500. The community is urged to come forward with any details that may aid in the ongoing investigation.
The tragic events that transpired at Main Event serve as a grim reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of vigilance in ensuring public safety. The repercussions of this incident will undoubtedly be felt by the community for some time to come.
Originally Published on February 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM MST
