LAKEWOOD, COLORADO — A former tattoo artist killed 6 people in targeted attacks, many of whom worked at tattoo shops, according to police. The shooting spree spanned at least 6 different locations in Lakewood and Denver.
The 47-year-old suspect was ultimately shot and killed by police during a shootout.
Three of the victims were at tattoo shops when they were shot and killed. Another victim was working at a Hyatt House and was shot and killed inside the hotel.
Three of the victims were at tattoo shops when they were killed. Alicia Cardenas and Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado were at Sol Tribe Tattoo and Piercing on Broadway in Denver. Danny Scofield was at Lucky 13 Tattoo on Kipling Street in Lakewood.
The first shooting was at a tattoo shop less than a mile from the address of his former business and four of the victims were shot at two tattoo shops in the Denver area.
Two women were killed and a man injured, who is expected to survive.
After the first shooting, the suspect forced his way into a home and business, chasing the occupants through the building while shooting. Luckily, no one was injured.
He then shot and killed a man at a home near Cheesman Park, which is also in Denver.
Police later chased a vehicle believed to be involved in the shootings and an officer exchanged gunfire with McLeod but he got away and went to Lakewood. Shortly before 6pm, Lakewood police received a report of shots fired at the Lucy 13 tattoo shop. Police said that a man, who they identified as Danny Schofield, 38, was killed there.
After his car was spotted at the Belmar shopping area, McLeod opened fire at police and officers shot back, after which he ran away, allegedly threatened people in a restaurant, and went to the Hyatt House hotel, where he spoke briefly to a hotel clerk, who has been named as Sarah Steck, 28, and shot her. She was later pronounced dead.
Roughly a minute later, a police officer spotted the suspect and told him to drop his firearm. The officer was shot in the abdomen, but was able to return fire and shoot the suspect, killing him. The injured officer was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The exact motive for the incident has not been revealed, but it is believed that the suspect knew nearly all of his victims, possibly not including the woman who was shot and killed at the hotel.
This is a terrible case that highlights the need for more citizens to take the steps to defend themselves, and prepare for something of this nature, or one of the thousands of violent crimes that happen every day across the Country.
