Aurora, Colo. — A 14-year-old boy from Colorado Springs has been arrested in connection with a fatal weekend shooting near Hoffman Park in Aurora that left one teenager dead and two others injured, authorities announced Thursday.
According to the Aurora Police Department, the juvenile suspect—whose name has not been released due to his age—was taken into custody late Wednesday afternoon. He faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder, 10 counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a handgun by a juvenile.
The arrest stems from a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning near Hoffman Park, where officers responded to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found three victims, including 15-year-old K’Tahna Jordin Smith, who was later pronounced dead. The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office confirmed Smith died from gunshot wounds and ruled her death a homicide.
A 20-year-old woman sustained serious injuries in the incident but is expected to survive. A second 15-year-old girl suffered a graze wound and declined medical attention at the scene.
During the course of the investigation, police learned the suspect had an outstanding arrest warrant for motor vehicle theft. He was taken into custody on that charge Wednesday morning in Colorado Springs. A search of his residence led to the discovery of two firearms—a 9mm handgun and a .380-caliber handgun—which have been submitted to the Aurora Police crime lab for ballistics testing to determine whether they were used in the shooting.
“The swift arrest of the suspect in this case serves as an excellent example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and our community work together,” said Mark Hildebrand, Chief of the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division. “We would not have made an arrest this quickly without the public’s help and our strong working relationship with the Colorado Springs Police Department.”
The teen suspect is currently being held in the El Paso County Jail and is expected to be transferred to Arapahoe County, where he will face charges in juvenile court.
The case remains under active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
