The man was shooting near the base of the Blue Mustang statue, aiming at cars driving by.
A chaotic and scary scene was reported at Denver International Airport (DIA) last weekend on Sunday evening. Witnesses say they saw a man parked next to the Blue Mustang sculpture (aka "Blucifer") that welcomes people to DIA.
The man was shooting at the statue with what eyewitnesses described as a “big, long, military gun.”
Local Lyft driver Anthony Barela told FOX31, “We started kind of freaking out a little bit, but really we freaked out because he turned towards traffic and started shooting at traffic."
Police were called and responded to the shooter, however, by the time they got on scene, the man shot himself and was gravely injured, suffering from a "self-inflicted gunshot wound." According to Denver Police, the man later died of his injuries at a local hospital. Investigators say he had several other firearms with him at the scene.
The man’s identity has not been released.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to the many organizations and individuals that are here to help:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” to 741741
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: www.sprc.org
- Colorado Crisis Services: 844-493-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 38255
- NAMI Colorado 303-321-3104
- Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention: 303-692-2369
- Mental Health Colorado: 720-208-2220
- Sources of Strength: 710-471-7186
- AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Colorado
We are thankful the situation did not escalate further. Please stay safe out there, and remember to be kind.
