Chef, Others Tackle Suspect In Fatal Overnight Shooting
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Bullet holes can be seen in the front door of a Boulder restaurant after one person was shot and killed there overnight.
The crime took place just after midnight outside Bramble & Hare, which is located on 13th Street just off the Pearl Street Mall.
A man who said he was inside the restaurant when the shooting happened told CBS4 he was terrified. According to police, it started when there was an altercation between two men inside. The fight spilled outside, and when the witness said he heard gunshots, he said he thought someone had opened fire on pedestrians. The shooter then suddenly came back inside pursuing the victim.
"The guy (suspect) comes stumbling back inside the restaurant and shot him (victim) another couple times. It was pretty chaotic, crazy and scary," the man said.
The witness said his first instinct was to run, but before more shots could be fired the suspect was tackled.
"For them to be able to do what they did in that time and react in that way? They honestly could have been the reason everybody was safe in that restaurant," said the witness, who asked not to be identified.
According to the owners of the restaurant, the person who tackled the suspect is their chef, who is a former Marine. The bartender and a patron then allegedly helped the chef hold the suspect down on the ground until police arrived.
"They are some true heroes and absolute beautiful hearts," said the witness. "They stepped up and somehow detained the suspect and the former Marine was a chef and he was able to disable the weapon and held him until the police got there."
The victim was rushed to the hospital but died a few hours later.
The suspect was also taken to the hospital and officers say he will be taken into police custody soon.
The identities of the suspect and the victim have not been released.
At daybreak on Monday investigators laid out more than a dozen evidence markers outside the restaurant as part of their investigation.
Lawyers from the Office of the State Public Defender was also on scene by Monday afternoon taking pictures and trying to speak to people. They would not give any comments.
Monday morning's Bolder Boulder 10K race route was not affected by the investigation.
Statement From Owners Of Bramble & Hare
We and the Bramble & Hare staff are devastated by the events that took place Sunday night. Our hearts are broken for the family of the victim. In addition, our hearts ache for our staff and guests who had to endure the traumatic event.
We are in awe of the bravery and professionalism our staff displayed during the event. Bramble & Hare employees disarmed and apprehended the assailant, holding him down until police arrived. In addition, both staff and guests performed CPR on the victim until parademics arrived.
We are working closely with Boulder Police Department detectives as they investigate this senseless act.
Since Bramble & Hare opened nearly five years ago, the food-focused bistro has never experienced violence of any kind. We will work with staff to help them deal with any post-event stress and trauma. And again, our hearts are broken for the victim's family.
- Eric and Jill Skokan
Additional Resources:
Boulder police released the following information about this case:
Anyone who may have additional information on this case should call the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-1974. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.