4 Suspects Arrested, 1 On The Run After Fatal Shooting Of Shmuel Silverberg In Denver During Crime Spree
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police on Thursday announced the arrest of four young men after a crime spree earlier this week in which one person was hurt and Shmuel Silverberg was killed. A fifth suspect, identified as Samuel Fussell, remains at large.
"We don't know the exact motivation other than senseless violence through multiple locations in our city and the metro area, that these individuals we believe are responsible for," said Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen during a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
The suspects were arrested on Wednesday night. They are all 21 or younger. They were identified as:
- Isaiah Freeman, 18
- Seth Larhode, 21
- Aden Sides, 18
- Noah Loepp-Hall, 19
They face charges that include first-degree murder, menacing and aggravated auto theft.
The fifth suspect, Fussell, 19, remains on the run but police remain determined to catch up to him.
"We are actively working with our partners to get this suspect in custody," said Pazen.
Police say they have criminal histories as juveniles, and all met at a youth correction facility in Golden.
"The fact that we have a group of relatively young individuals that are willing to go on this type of rampage this type of violent spree in our community is not acceptable," Pazen said. "We cannot tolerate this in our community. It is not OK. And we need the community's help just like we need all aspects of the Criminal Justice system to assist in holding people accountable for their violent crimes."
The fatal shooting happened late Tuesday night in west Denver outside of the Yeshiva Toras Chaim Talmudical Seminary near West Colfax Avenue and North Stuart Street. Silverberg, a student there, was shot and killed after the suspects approached him. He was from the Cleveland area.
"The murder of the student, Shmuel Silverberg, sent shockwaves through the Jewish community, not only here in Denver and Colorado but across the United States," said Pazen.
Investigators do not believe Silverberg's murder was a result of a bias-motivated crime.
"This is further supported by the statements made by the offenders who agreed to be interviewed last night and early this morning. At this point, no one has made mention of the victim's religion or offered any information indicating they were targeting the school or the Jewish community," said Denver Police Cmdr. Matt Clark.
Other crimes that were part of the spree included two carjackings, one in which a person was critically hurt, and a burglary at a business in Lakewood. The carjacking happened before the fatal shooting and the burglary took place the following morning.
"While I can't comprehend it, the best explanation we have at this point is that this group of offenders went out and randomly assaulted, robbed, stole and shot and ultimately killed an individual that evening," Clark said.
Police did recover a firearm but continue to search for the Toyota Rav4. Two other cars were recovered in Denver and Aurora.
"We encourage anyone who has any information about this crime spree or photos or videos to be shared with us so we can strengthen our case," said Pazen.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). You can text to CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter your message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and charging of a wanted individual, you can receive a cash reward up to $27,000.
The Anti-Defamation League Mountain States REgion welcomed the arrests of the suspects in the deadly shooting of Silverberg. They released this statement, "We commend the Denver Police Department and local law enforcement authorities for their swift action in identifying and arresting suspects in this horrible killing," said ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott Levin. "While police do not believe the victim was targeted because of his Jewish identity, the shooting has certainly shattered a sense of peace and calm in the community. We continue to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Shmuel Silverberg and extend our support to the entire Yeshiva Toras Chaim community."
