A-yep, this is what happens when one relies on the mercy of those who have none.
Posted on 08/08/2003 8:12:35 AM PDT by Gritty
Four people were shot and killed and two others were critically wounded late Wednesday in Denver's worst mass homicide in more than a decade.
Authorities say one or more gunmen bound the victims, then shot most of them in the head in the basement of a northeast Denver duplex.
The only person who escaped unharmed was 3-year-old Esmeralda Balbuena, the daughter of two of the victims. She met officers at the bottom of the stairs leading to the basement duplex when they arrived minutes after the shootings.
"Maybe she was not intended to be a target, or maybe they didn't know she was there," Denver police Division Chief Armedia Gordon said. "The truth is, until we find the people, we probably won't know. I'm thankful she was not killed."
Officials and family members said Thursday night that the girl, in the care of social services, was safe. They would not say where she was.
The last quadruple homicide in Denver was the 1991 "Father's Day Massacre," when a robber killed four guards at the United Bank building downtown. No one has been convicted in that case, though one person was tried and acquitted.
Authorities were still trying to confirm the identities and relationships of the seven who were in the white stucco duplex at 4016 Milwaukee St. on Wednesday night when the shooting happened. But relatives identified the dead as Blanca Duenas-Balbuena, Sally Mendoza, Rose Amador and Bob Pacheco. All four are believed to be in their 20s and 30s.
Dozens of relatives of those inside gathered across the street from the house Thursday and watched police process the scene.
Some sobbed uncontrollably. One woman hyperventilated, and paramedics had to be called. Many looked on despondently as the bodies were removed.
People outside the house said those killed were a woman and her brother, her brother's wife and a friend. That friend, they said, was Esmeralda's mother. The friend's husband was wounded in the shooting.
All were apparently at a get-together, said Luis Balbuena, who said his brother, Carlos Balbuena, was one of those injured and the father of the girl.
"He was just hanging out," Luis said. "He goes there occasionally."
The shootings happened about 11:30 p.m., police said. A neighbor flagged down a passing police car and told an officer about hearing gunshots.
Officers went inside, found the little girl at the bottom of the stairs, and then the six people shot.
The killer or killers apparently bound at least some of the victims, police and relatives said. All the victims, including the two who survived, were shot at least once, most likely in the head, investigators said. Autopsy results were pending.
They were shot in two rooms, investigators said.
There were no signs of forced entry. Officers received descriptions of two men driving away from the scene in a maroon or burgundy Dodge Intrepid, and a possible third suspect walking away from the house.
All four killed were pronounced dead inside the house. Two others, both men, were taken to the hospital. They were both in critical condition.
As officers were putting Carlos Balbuena in the ambulance, they found a plastic bag containing what is believed to be crack cocaine, according to a police report.
Luis Balbuena said he doesn't know his brother to use drugs and doesn't believe the drugs were his.
Officers found an abandoned car that could be the assailants' Dodge Intrepid on Thursday morning by Interstate 270 and Quebec Street near Commerce City. Police impounded the car, but investigators do not yet know if it's connected to the shootings.
A short time later, police also stopped two men hitchhiking on Interstate 70 but determined they were not involved in the case.
Investigators said they do not know of a motive for the shootings. Neighbors said they saw people coming and going at the house. But police have no indication of drug trafficking or gang activity at the home.
The man who owns the house said the tenants had lived there since last September.
"They paid their rent on time every month, and I never had a problem with them," said Dave Widhalm. "They never called about a problem."
People outside the house Thursday remembered fondly those who died.
Luis Balbuena said Carlos' wife, Blanca, was killed in the shooting.
"She's a great person, a great personality," he said. "She was always laughing."
Luis Balbuena said Carlos was shot twice in the neck and was breathing through a tube in his throat. Monica Balbuena, Carlos' sister, said her brother doesn't yet know about Blanca and keeps asking for Esmeralda.
"He's improving a lot," Luis Balbuena said. "He's moving his arms and legs."
Luis Balbuena said his brother had a happy family life that included taking Esmeralda to the zoo and on other outings. Carlos didn't have any enemies, Luis Balbuena said.
Libby Velasquez said her sister, Sally Mendoza, died in the shooting. Mendoza had two children and six grandchildren, Velasquez said. She said Mendoza was at the house with her husband visiting "in-laws" Wednesday night.
"She's a very good person," Velasquez said. "She's a hard worker. She's very kindhearted. She'd give the shirt off her back to anyone."
As the day grew hotter, the family members assembled across the street moved into the shade. But their emotions did not melt away.
One woman, a relative of some of the deceased, sobbed disconsolately. She stared at the duplex as if she hoped the scene would somehow vanish like a morning daydream and everyone would be all right.
"Please just come out," she cried. "Please."
Denver Post staff writer Veronica Torrejn contributed to this report.
A-yep, this is what happens when one relies on the mercy of those who have none.
Ahem. Columbine anyone?
OK, I know Columbine is technically in Littleton but Littleton is for all purposes part of greater metropolitan Denver. I mean, c'mon! Capitol Hill is a 15 minute drive from Columbine's parking lot! The DP should have said "Denver's first quadruple homicide in more than a decade."
yea my aunt was involved in the incident but she had nothing to do with it she followed her husband carlos balbuena who sold drugs in that house,
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