DENVER — A man was found guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday in connection with a neighbor dispute that ended with the fatal shooting of a grandmother in Denver.

The jury found Jason Arroyo guilty of killing Patricia Cruz, 55, in September 2020. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1 and he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

Arroyo was arrested on Sept. 7 following the shooting, which happened at W. 35th Avenue and Mariposa Street. He opened fire on a family after children began playing near his fence, according to an arrest affidavit. Cruz was struck and died 11 days later in the hospital.

Local News

Backyard shooting ends in death of 55-year-old grandmother

9:45 PM, Sep 21, 2020

In addition, one man and his daughter were also shot, but survived.

Arroyo was found hiding in an unlocked garage nearby and was arrested.

He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of menacing.

The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday and he will be sentenced in December.


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Boy, 12, Forced Into Laundry Room Without AC or Sleep: Police

William Conner (Volusia County Sheriff’s Office). A 42-year-old Florida man is accused…

Man Arrested After Allegedly Choking Girlfriend, Swinging Hammer at Her

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jabar Darnel Colley, 22, was arrested yesterday…

Homeless Man Arrested in Gas Station Gun Threat Against Stranger

Staff report ALACHUA, Fla. – A 23-year-old man, identified as Tyler James…

Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Revive Election Order

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., from…

Police: Man Lured Girl Across States, Held Her Captive 4 Years

Inset: Owen Anderson (Western Virginia Regional Jail). Background: Milwaukee County Courthouse in…

Teen Fatally Stabbed 73-Year-Old Mall Manager for No Reason

Background: Tyler Leibelt (center, wearing a jumpsuit) is escorted by police officers…

Lawsuit Says Bus Driver Kept Driving With 8-Year-Old Girl’s Arm Trapped in Door After Refusing to Let Her Stay On

Horry County Schools has reached a settlement in a lawsuit involving a…

Lawsuit Says Nursing Home Worker Shoved 72-Year-Old Resident, Causing Fatal Brain Injury Facility Called a Minor Fall

Inset: Dennis Newman. Background: The Wisconsin nursing home where Dennis Newman was…