Share this @internewscast.com

DENVER — More than three years after a local guitarist was found shot and killed in Denver, police announced an arrest in the cold case on Friday.

On Friday afternoon, the Denver Police Department said they had arrested Patrick Lee Apostol, 45, in connection with the homicide of Zackary Smith on Sept. 10, 2020.

Around 3:55 a.m. that morning, police responded to the area of E. 17th Avenue and Quince Street after receiving a report of shots fired via a ShotSpotter device. At the scene, police found a crashed Subaru Crosstrek, which had rolled over in the Quebec Street and Quince Street alley, according to Apostol’s arrest warrant.

The driver, who had been shot in the head, was transported to a hospital where he died that evening. He was later identified as Smith.

Smith was a guitar player and member of Autonomix, a local four-piece band.

At the scene, police found one spent 9mm cartridge casing. Around 6:20 a.m., police went up to a nearby home to see if it had video surveillance that might include the crash. Apostol answered the door, according to the arrest warrant. Because of redactions in the document, it was not clear if Apostol provided any footage, however the document does say that they were told the Ring video surveillance did not work. Investigators later determined that somebody appeared to have deleted some videos from a separate surveillance camera on the property, the arrest warrant reads.

Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | November 17, 5pm

When the officers talked with Apostol at the home that night, he was wearing a black robe that would later test positive for gunshot residue, according to the document.

On Sept. 21, 2020, he voluntarily went to the police department for an interview, which is redacted in the document.

That same day, a judge signed a search warrant and Apostol’s home was searched by authorities, who found firearms and accessories, some of which were illegal, according to the arrest warrant.

In March 2023, the reward for information on this case increased to $20,000. In the fall, the cell phone records for Smith, Apostol and an unknown person were re-analyzed with new technology, the arrest warrants reads. Much of this was redacted.

Apostol was taken into custody on Friday in Lakewood and is being held for investigation of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

The police department thanked its homicide investigators and a tip from the community, which led to Apostol’s arrest.


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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Disgruntled Employee’s Partner Allegedly Shoots at Walmart Manager’s Home After Girlfriend’s Termination

Inset: Larry Keaton Brown (Stokes County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Walmart in…

Parent’s Lunchroom Outburst: Woman Arrested for Alleged Bomb Threat at Local School

Inset: Brandie Covington (Brevard County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Rockledge High School in…

Debt Dispute Turns Deadly: Man Allegedly Shoots Woman Over Unpaid Loan, Police Report

Inset: Antres Holliness-Ransom (Allen County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The 2900 block of…

Donna Adelson Faces Verdict for Orchestrating Son-in-Law’s Murder in Notorious ‘Monster-in-Law’ Case

Donna Adelson has been sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating the murder…

Lyft Driver Discharges Firearm at Passengers Following Car Door Incident

In Florida, a Lyft driver found himself in custody on Wednesday after…

Renowned Journalist Exposes Disturbing Intimidation Incident at Home: A Call for Press Freedom

Renowned investigative journalist Nick McKenzie has come forward following an alleged intimidation…

Former Judges Invoke Alexander Hamilton in Cautionary Message to Supreme Court Regarding Trump

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he…

Deputies Report: Teen Assisted Father in Disposing of Woman’s Body

Inset: Jennifer Ruth Stuart (Clackamas County Sheriff”s Office’s). Background: Mount Hood National…

Texas Tragedy: Hunt Intensifies for Hit-and-Run Truck Driver in Fatal Scooter Accident

Authorities in Texas are appealing to the community for assistance in tracking…

Florida Woman Faces Charges After Revealing Her Identity, Says Sheriff

Inset left: Brynn Gifford (Volusia County Correctional Facility). Inset right: Surveillance footage…

New Image Emerges: Melodee Buzzard Spotted in Wig Amid Ongoing Search for Missing 9-Year-Old

Recent developments in the case of Melodee Buzzard, a young girl from…

Tragic Stabbing Incident Rocks Beloved Nightlife Hub: What You Need to Know

A man has tragically lost his life, and another is hospitalized following…