Community mourns man killed after fatal attack in Pueblo, police still investigating
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The daughter of a man who was killed in Pueblo on Sunday says he was attempting to help her recover stolen belongings.
Eddie Winslow Sanders, 50, was killed early Sunday morning on South Queens Avenue. As of Tuesday night, police have made no arrests in the case.
According to Sanders' daughter's account, she and some friends were attacked by multiple people earlier Sunday night, and her belongings were stolen. Sanders accompanied her to a home on Queens Avenue to retrieve her items, but they were jumped by a large group, and Sanders was killed during the encounter.
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Sanders, a father of six, was remembered fondly by community members and loved ones following his death. Tributes posted on social media praised him as a valued member of the Steel City community who had overcome legal troubles early in his life.
Emilio Rodriguez, a long-time friend who knew Sanders for 37 years, recalled his reaction upon hearing what happened.
“The first thing that went through my mind was: 'No. Not him,'” Rodriguez said. “I love seeing how he touched people the way he touched me,” Rodriguez said. “Look how many people got to witness and see what a good person he was. A big, lovable teddy bear.”
Rodriguez added that he will miss their regular conversations, especially around his birthday.
“I want to call him,” Rodriguez said. “You know, I always talked to him on my birthday. My birthday past the 21st of September. I just think of things that I'm going to miss out on and what I have missed out on the last couple of years. It hurts.”
Janessa Trujillo, Rodriguez's daughter, who considered Sanders to be an uncle, described the difficulty of processing the loss and sharing the news with her father.
“It's still a little surreal to me, but I had a call my dad and let him know,” Trujillo said. “That was hard too.”
Trujillo noted the impact Sanders had on the community, and the outpouring of support they've seen since his death.
“It's amazing to see that he meant that much to that many people,” Trujillo said. “This is affecting not just one family. You know, this is affecting lots of people, a lot of families.”
Pueblo Police could not confirm the cause of the fight that led to the shooting but said they know there were many people involved, including some who they have not made contact with yet.
Anyone who has any further information on this case is urged to reach out to Detective Charleston of the Pueblo Police Department. Anonymous tips can be left with Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 542-STOP.
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