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Man pleads guilty to murder in Colorado Top Golf parking lot deadly shooting

By Jennifer McRae

/ CBS Colorado

Man pleads guilty to murder in Thornton Top Golf deadly shooting
Man pleads guilty to murder in Thornton Top Golf deadly shooting 00:16

The gunman who opened fire in the parking lot of the Top Golf in Thornton has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. Victor Salazar-Guarache pleaded guilty to last year's shooting of his 22-year-old coworker on Sept. 26. 

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Victor Salazar-Guarache, 26, has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of a 22-year-old man he worked with at the Top Golf in Thornton, Colorado on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Thornton Police Department

According to police, the shooting happened after a dispute between two employees in the parking lot of the Top Golf at 16011 Grant Street just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2023. 

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A security guard patrols the parking lot of Top Golf in Thornton, Colorado hours after a deadly shooting took place in that parking lot on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. CBS

Police said that Salazar-Guarache got away but was arrested by Weld County sheriff's deputies and taken to the Adams County Detention Center a short time later.

Sentencing for the stipulated 48-year prison sentence is scheduled for Oct. 11. 

Jennifer McRae

Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer for CBS Colorado with more than 25 years of experience in news. Jennifer is part of the digital team recognized for excellence for Best Website several times by the Colorado Broadcasters Association.

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