Editor’s note: The Good Samaritan has been identified and contacted, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident is asked to call authorities or Crime Stoppers of Larimer County.


LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — As the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the shooting death of a man on a trail near Horsetooth Reservoir, it is asking for help identifying a Good Samaritan who helped the first responders.

On Sept. 10 around 10:18 a.m., a person called 911 to report a person lying on the Foothills Trail near Horsetooth Reservoir. When first responders arrived, they found that the man was deceased, the sheriff’s office said.

He was later identified by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office as Paul Gallenstein, 64, of Fort Collins. An autopsy found his cause of death was a gunshot wound. However, the manner of death remains under investigation.

paul gallenstein larimer co.png

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office

Paul Gallenstein

After the man’s body was found, investigators and others, including K-9 teams and drone operators, searched the area. They never found a weapon, but the sheriff’s office said the area had heavy foliage.

Anybody who found a gun or other suspicious items around the Reservoir Ridge Foothills Trail is asked to call the sheriff’s office immediately at 970-498-5174.

In addition, investigators are trying to locate a Good Samaritan who was on the trail on the morning of Sept. 10. The man, who was walking a dog, helped lead EMS personnel to the deceased man. However, the man left the area before investigators could interview him.

Good Samaritan_Larimer County Sheriff's Office

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office is seeking this Good Samaritan who helped lead first responders to a man’s body.

This person, and anybody else who was on the Foothills Trail at Reservoir Ridge between 9 and 11 a.m. that day, is asked to contact the sheriff’s office by calling 970-498-5174.

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Bobby Moll said investigators are working nonstop to identify witnesses and track down information.

“We won’t stop working until we find out what happened to Paul,” he said. “Our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family during this time of grief and uncertainty.”

To provide information but remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.


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

Police Say Woman and Fiancée Killed Her Boyfriend, Dumped Body

From left: Aydee Casado-Dominguez and Humberto Rodriguez Hernandez (KCPQ) and Caelick Bradley…

Man Admits Posting Online Threats to Snipe Trump

Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in…

Trump DOJ Battles Judge Accused of Blocking ICE in High-Stakes Sentencing Fight

Inset: Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan appears in court (WTMJ/YouTube). Background: Surveillance…

Parents Accused of Leaving Children Alone in Hotel Room Crib and Nursery Bed, Police Say

Share copy link Insets, from left: Brian Nicholas Cannella and Allison Sirica…

Gainesville Woman Arrested on Charges of Injuring Young Children

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sasha Jean-Baptiste, 33, was taken into custody…

Group Home Caregiver Accused of Gagging Resident With Socks and Washcloth, Police Say

Inset: Arizona caregiver Mark Sampson. Background: A Phoenix neighborhood where Sampson worked…

Police Say Boy Drowned While Parents Partied and Was Revived by Rescuers

Inset: Vincent Fiordilino (GoFundMe). Background: The Arizona hospital where Vincent Fiordilino was…

Gainesville Woman Arrested After Ramming Patrol Car, Fleeing Deputies With Children Inside

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michelle Breann Bartholomew, 26, was arrested yesterday…