Denver shooting: 2 arrested, 10 shot, 5 remain hospitalized after Nuggets fans celebrate in LoDo

Ten people were shot, including the gunman, in Denver around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning as thousands of fans poured into the streets of LoDo to celebrate the Nuggets' NBA Finals victory.  Denver police said five of those victims remained hospitalized on Tuesday. 

Police said they have two suspects in custody in connection to the shooting which left 9 men and one woman injured. One of those suspects remained hospitalized on Tuesday. 

The shooting took place in the area of 20th and Market Streets. Market Street was closed for many hours afterward from 20th to 22nd Streets while police were involved in what they say was a complex investigation. By 8 a.m. Market Street had reopened.

"What we couldn't have planned for was a drug deal right in the middle of a celebration for an NBA championship," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas.

The shooting happened in the area where the biggest crowd of fans had gathered, though there was a smaller crowd when the gunfire broke out, according to DPD spokesman Doug Schepman. 

Denver Police Cmdr. of Major Crimes Matt Clark provided an update on the shooting on Tuesday morning. Two suspects were taken into custody on weapons-related charges after the shooting and five firearms were confiscated, along with fentanyl pills bundled in multiple bags. 

Those suspects have been identified as Ricardo Vasquez, 22, and Raoul Jones. Clark said that Vasquez ran from police after the shooting and officers caught up to him at Park Avenue and Blake Street where he was taken into custody. One firearm was confiscated during that arrest. 

Clark said that some of those injured in the shooting include the suspects as well as several bystanders. At least 20 rounds were fired in the area of 20th and Market Street. 

Investigators said they are still working to determine a motive for the shooting but believe it may be drug-related due to the large amount of fentanyl recovered from the scene. 

"I stand here incredibly disappointed that such a wonderful celebration was marred by gun violence when we should have been celebrating the Denver Nuggets but I do stand here as well incredibly proud of the response," said Denver Health trauma surgeon Eric Champion.

Denver police continue to investigate the shooting and ask that anyone with information call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867 or (720) 913-STOP.

There was also a separate, unrelated shooting that happened in the midst of the celebrating overnight in a separate part of downtown. One person was hurt in that shooting at 15th Street and Tremont Place.

UPDATE: More than 20 gunshots were fired into crowd celebrating Nuggets