Inset, left to right: Anthony Apodaca (Denver Police Dept.) and Nico Francis (GoFundMe). Background: The corner in Colorado where Apodaca allegedly shot Francis in the neck (Google Maps).
A Colorado resident, aged 31, is facing charges after allegedly shooting a scooter rider in the neck during an unprovoked altercation at a downtown Denver traffic light last week.
Anthony Davon Apodaca stands accused of attempted first-degree murder following the shooting of Nico Francis.
According to a news release from Denver police, officers were dispatched to the vicinity of 18th and Stout streets shortly before 11:45 p.m. on April 3 after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds and announced that they were actively investigating while gathering information on a suspect. Apodaca was later identified as the individual involved.
The investigation revealed that the incident started when a white SUV pulled up next to the victim, who was on a scooter, as detailed in an arrest affidavit obtained by the Denver Post. An occupant of the SUV reportedly shouted at people waiting at a nearby bus stop before focusing his attention on the scooter rider at the red light.
A witness informed authorities that the SUV passenger aggressively questioned the scooter rider, asking if he “had a problem.”
The victim later explained to police that he responded by saying he had no issue, yet the man in the SUV brandished a firearm and shot him, according to the report.
Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot before the SUV sped away, police reportedly said. Officers later located the vehicle and detained multiple occupants after another passenger identified Apodaca as the shooter.
Francis told Denver NBC affiliate KUSA what he remembered about his encounter with the shooter after he asked Francis whether he had a problem.
“I tried calming him down. I was like, ‘I don’t know you. I don’t want any trouble, man. I’m just trying to go meet my friends,’” Francis told the station. “He turns and I see him pointing his gun at my face and it totally shocked me. He pulled the trigger and I heard this really, really loud pop, and I look down and I see blood everywhere, and I’m just sitting there thinking is this really the moment that I die? Like I’m going to die on a sidewalk in downtown Denver and I don’t even know why.”
Asked about a possible motive, Francis told local Fox affiliate KDVR he believes the men in the SUV were just “driving around looking for a fight.”
“I think he [Apodaca] just kinda wanted to shoot somebody that night,” Francis said.
One of the most troubling aspects of the ordeal, Francis added, is the fact that Apodaca was released from detention after posting $75,000 bond, which has only compounded his fear.
“I understand he’s on house arrest, but that doesn’t make me feel any better,” he said. “I feel a lot more safe if he was in jail.”
He also credited a bystander with helping to save his life after the shooting. “He saved my life,” Francis said, describing how the man applied pressure to his wound until help arrived.
Francis expanded on the emotional and physical toll in a GoFundMe campaign, writing that he suffered significant injuries and faces ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation as he recovers.
Apodaca is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on April 21 for an advisement hearing, records show.
