DENVER, Colorado – A failed robbery attempt in a Denver museum parking lot on Sunday afternoon resulted in a shootout between the victim and the suspects, leaving one of the suspects injured. The incident took place at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, located in the area of Colorado Boulevard and 20th Avenue, on the east side of City Park.
According to the victim’s account to the Denver Police Department, he and his girlfriend had just arrived at the parking lot when two masked men approached them with guns drawn, demanding the victim’s silver chain. When one of the suspects hit the victim in the head with a gun, the victim retaliated by pulling out his concealed carry gun and firing back at the suspects.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in one of the suspects being injured, and both suspects fled the scene in a car. Shortly after the shooting, a person with a gunshot wound arrived at a nearby hospital and was identified as one of the suspects involved in the shooting. The injured suspect, identified as 21-year-old Oscar Mendoza, was taken into police custody and now faces multiple charges including attempted murder and robbery.
Surveillance video revealed that Mendoza and another individual were dropped off at the hospital by a driver, matching the description of the car that fled the shooting scene. The second individual left the hospital before the police arrived, and it remains uncertain whether additional suspects are being sought in connection with the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.
The incident at the Denver museum parking lot serves as a reminder of the dangers of attempted robberies escalating into violent encounters, highlighting the importance of being prepared for self-defense in unexpected situations. The events also underscore the significance of thorough surveillance in identifying and apprehending suspects involved in criminal activities.