Share this @internewscast.com

DENVER — The family of a teen who was shot and killed outside the Denver aquarium last month has helped increase the reward for information in the case.

Officers were called out to a report of a shooting outside the Downtown Denver Aquarium around 3 p.m. on Feb. 14. Dacien Salazar, 19, was taken to the hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries.

Nearly a month later, Salazar’s family still has no answers about who killed their loved one and why.

“My son was really goofy. He’s so funny. I mean, I could be in the worst mood and he would make a joke about it. And he loved making music. He loved being home. Like, just being a teenager. He was a teenager. He’s 19 years old,” said Salazar’s mother, Roxanne Coca.

Crime

Fatal shooting outside Denver aquarium was a drive-by, police say

3:34 PM, Feb 14, 2024

Coca said her son had traveled from southern Colorado to Denver to hang out with friends that day.

“He spent the day at the aquarium being a kid, being a teenager, minding his own business,” the mother said. “He had no idea that when he would leave there, he would be murdered.”

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information in Salazar’s death. The teen’s grandfather has donated $1,000, bringing the total reward to $3,000.

“We heard there were a lot of people there that day. It was a holiday. I think that a lot of people [had] seen things, and I don’t know why people are scared to speak up and help my son get justice,” Coca said.

Someone from a moving vehicle opened fire at Salazar, according to the Denver Police Department. Investigators do not believe that the shooting was random.

Local News

Denver police identify 19-year-old who died in shooting outside Denver aquarium

3:20 PM, Feb 20, 2024

“We want help. We want any little piece of anything that you think might be helpful. We’re begging you,” Coca said.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous.


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

Kindergarten Teacher Arrested for Cocaine Use in School Bathroom, Claims to ‘Always Clean Up

Background: Lincoln Elementary School in New London, Wis. (Google Maps). Inset: Laurie…

Tragic Shooting in New Mexico: Man Allegedly Kills Young Son and Injures ADA Wife and Daughter

A man in New Mexico was taken into custody on Tuesday following…

Authorities Discover Cockroach-Infested Shotgun in Cluttered Home Linked to Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old Girl

Inset: Jo Timmons (Randolph County Jail). Background: The front entrance of the…

Master the Art of Detecting Counterfeit Currency: Spot the Differences Like a Pro!

Authorities have issued a warning about counterfeit money being circulated in eastern…

Teen’s 100 mph Crash Leaves Pregnant Girlfriend Dead: Murder Charges Stand Firm

Left inset: Jose Gutierrez in court (KTNV/YouTube). Right inset: Adilene Rincon (GoFundMe).…

Man Allegedly Accuses Wife of Infidelity Before Shooting Her and Children in Incident Captured on 911 Call, Authorities Report

Inset: Luis Sanchez (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center). Background: Authorities responding to…

Shocking Heist: Man Hijacks Ambulance with Critical Kidney Patient Onboard, Threatens Police

Background: Police body camera footage shows the suspect in the theft of…

Heroic Self-Defense: Woman Fights Back Against Train Attacker with Steak Knife Amidst Silent Onlookers

Inset: Allante Wallace (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Background: An Arizona light rail…

Deputies Report Woman Transported Injured Boyfriend to Field Before Car Was Set Ablaze with Him Inside

Background: The Delaware County Justice Center in Muncie, Indiana (Delaware County Sheriff”s…

Shocking Sting Operation Leads to Arrests and Deportation at Local Convenience Store

Staff Report HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Two individuals, Bhavesh Jayantilal Amin, 57,…

Washington Resident Accused of Supplying Child Exploitation Content to Inmates in the U.S.

Authorities have reported that a 46-year-old resident of Manning has been communicating…

Man Sentenced for Fatal Shooting of Couple Who Provided Care for His Son and Grandson

Background: News footage of Charles Saunders in court after being found guilty…