Police identify possible suspect in Colo. shooting

DENVER — Denver police on Sunday pointed to a YouTube video they say shows a possible suspect in the weekend shooting at a marijuana celebration that injured two people and scattered a crowd of thousands.

The shooting on Saturday took place during the outdoor celebration of the first 4/20 counterculture holiday since Colorado legalized marijuana. Denver police spent much of Sunday scanning video taken at the event.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson told The Denver Post that the suspect is shown in the video walking in a crowd away from the scene of the shooting as sirens wailed in the background.

The suspect, a black male who was wearing a brown and white checkered shirt, can be seen about six seconds into the video, he said.

“We are seeking this individual as we believe he assisted the primary suspect after the shooting,” Jackson said in an email to the newspaper.

The police gang unit has taken over the investigation, although it isn’t yet clear if gangs were involved, he said.

Witnesses on Saturday described a scene in which a jovial atmosphere quickly turned to one of panic at the downtown Civic Center Park just before 5 p.m.

Several thought firecrackers were being set off, then a man fell bleeding, his dog also shot. Witnesses said as many as 10 shots could be heard.

A man and a woman each suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Additionally, a juvenile who was grazed by a bullet walked to a nearby hospital, police said.

Police said they were also looking for a second black man — one who was dressed in a grey hoodie and light blue baseball cap.

“When gunfire happens people run away. Now that things have calmed down, we would like them to come back and talk to us,” Jackson said.