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2 men charged in double homicide shooting at west Denver bus stop

mug shots

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann has charged 22-year-old Elias Chavez and 22-year-old Tlaloc Chavez in the fatal double shooting of two men at a west Denver bus stop earlier this month.

Elias and Tlaloc each face four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and the sentencing enhancer charge of crime of violence. Charges were filed Thursday.

According to the probable cause statement, the shooting happened on April 1 about 4 p.m. at a bus stop at West Alameda Avenue and South Federal Boulevard.

After receiving 911 calls reporting shots fired, officers found 22-year-old DeAngelo Tafoya and 59-year-old David Lara suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a hospital but died from their injuries later that day.

The medical examiner ruled both deaths homicides resulting from gunshot wounds.

Two arrested following Thursday's double shooting in Westwood; suspects identities released

Witnesses told police a tan or gold Honda CR-V SUV-type vehicle pulled up to the bus stop and men fired at the victims from inside the car, the statement said.

At 4:12 p.m., officers spotted a gold Honda CR-V at West Seventh Avenue and North Alcott Street. Officers pulled the car over and found Elias in the driver’s seat, a woman in the front passenger seat and Tlaloc and a child in the back seats.

During the stop, officers also saw a cartridge casing on the ground outside the driver’s door and on the driver’s seat.

Elias, Tlaloc and the woman were brought to the police station where Elias and Tlaloc were identified by a witness who was at the bus stop with Tafoya during the shooting.

The witnesses identified Elias as the driver and shooter and Tlaloc as the back seat passenger, the statement said. Bus surveillance footage shows the driver and backseat passenger firing at the victims from inside the car.

Elias and Tlaloc’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 5A.

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