DENVER, CO – A 16-year-old is set to be charged as an adult following a violent altercation near Union Station that left multiple people injured. The incident, which occurred last weekend, began as an attempted robbery and quickly escalated into a shooting.
The victim, who was on his way home from work, recounted the terrifying moment when a group of juveniles tried to steal his cowboy hat. As he passed them, a confrontation ensued, leading to a struggle. Despite dropping his hat and backpack, the group continued to assault him.
“I never imagined it would escalate to the point where someone would pull out a gun,” the victim said. He tried to evade the group and make his way to Union Station, but one of the suspects opened fire, striking him in the abdomen.
The Denver District Attorney’s Office has announced that the juvenile involved in the shooting, identified as 16-year-old Cyrus Haggard, will face 13 charges, including three counts of attempted murder. The incident has raised concerns about the accessibility of firearms to minors, with the victim noting the alarming trend of underage individuals obtaining illegal guns.
The victim’s family expressed their relief that he survived the brutal encounter but also shared their sorrow for the other two victims, one of whom was a former coworker who intervened during the attack. “This incident has ruined multiple lives and changed mine forever,” the victim stated.
In the aftermath, the family has turned to crowdfunding to seek additional support for medical expenses and recovery efforts. The community’s response has been a mix of shock and empathy, highlighting the broader issue of rising youth violence in the area.