Denver Police: Shots fired near Colorado Capitol after rally, no reported injuries
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Denver Police Department is investigating a call of shots fired that happened near the Capitol building where a group had gathered to protest the police death of Minneapolis man George Floyd.
Police say there haven't been any reports of injuries and they're not sure if the shots were related to the protest.
#DPD Officers on scene at W Colfax Ave and W 15 st on shots fired in the area of the Capital. This is an ongoing investigation and the motive is unknown. No reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/J5qk1zmKml
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) May 29, 2020
The call came in just after 5:30 p.m. in the area of Colfax Avenue and West 15th Street, according to our partners at 9News. That's where dozens of protesters had gathered in response to the death George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis officer subdued him by kneeling on his neck. At the time of the shots fired, most of the group had already marched to the 16th Street Mall, but some were still nearby.
Colorado State Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) told KUSA reporter Marshal Zelinger that she and Rep. Jonathan Singer were in the crowed with the second protest group when she heard "multiple shots." Herod said Colorado State Patrol told her to run inside the Capitol.
Herod later released the following statement obtained by KRDO:
“This evening, I joined protesters outside the Capitol in support of George Floyd who was murdered by the police in Minnesota. Shots were fired into the peaceful protest. We will continue to make our voices heard and demand justice for Black communities. We will not be deterred by this unspeakable act of violence.”
The incident remains under investigation.