One person is dead and six others were wounded in a multiple shooting and stabbing during the Colorado Motorcycle Expo early Saturday afternoon at the National Western Complex, according to an official with the Denver Police Department.
An official with Denver Health tweeted earlier that at least 9 people were taken to hospitals following the shootings and stabbing. Denver Health officials later updated their numbers and stated 7 victims were taken to area hospitals:
- 3 were in critical condition
- 3 were in stable condition
- 1 fatality
Officials also said Denver police will remain around the Denver Health campus until further notice. A lockdown of the Emergency Department was immediately put into place as a precaution and officials had asked the public to avoid the Denver Health campus. The lockdown was lifted around 4:30 p.m.
The shooting happened during a fight between rival motorcycle gangs at around 12:48 p.m., as bikers were enjoying the motorcycle expo. A person was also stabbed.
So far, no one has been taken into custody, according to DPD spokeswoman Raquel Lopez. It's not clear what motorcycle clubs were involved in the fight.
No officers or firefighters were injured, Lopez added.
Denver7 reporter Brendaliss Gonzalez said at one point people were gathered near a closed off entrance, and that no one who had left was allowed back in. However, the National Western Complex at 47th and Humboldt remained open, and people who were at the expo were allowed to remain there and were not told to evacuate.
Lopez advised people needing to get their bikes to talk to an officer, who would then be able to escort them safely to their bike's location.
The Kicker Arena Cross, an indoor motorcycle race, scheduled to be held at the National Western Events Center at 7:30 p.m., will still go on, according to the event's spokesperson.
The Colorado Motorcycle Expo will also go as scheduled on Sunday, an official confirmed with Denver7.
Denver police initially tweeted that the shooting occurred at the Denver Coliseum, which is nearby, but on the other side of Interstate 70.
BREAKING: DPD working multiple shootings (1 stabbed) at Coliseum. PIO RESPONDING
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) January 30, 2016
Denver Health paramedics are responding at the Denver Colisuem. 9 people are being transported to area hospitals. Follow us on twitter.
— Denver Health (@DenverHealthMed) January 30, 2016
Here's a picture a person inside took of man being helped through the arena after shooting/stabbing. pic.twitter.com/7IcLyBx2r5
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Police AREN'T saying whether it's gang related, but hearing of at least 4 motorcycle gangs from people who were inside at time.
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Heavy security presence here at #Denver Health after motorcycle show shootings @DenverChannel @KyleHoranNews pic.twitter.com/hO1Qn7UPyj
— Jacob Curtis (@JACOBCURTIS) January 30, 2016
@CNNNewsource No longer the Colisuem. PIO error. This is at the National Western Complex
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) January 30, 2016
Heavy @DenverPolice presence outside @DenverHealthMed @DenverChannel officers stationed after shooting pic.twitter.com/dCipMz4tSD
— Kyle Horan Denver7 (@KyleHoranNews) January 30, 2016
Coliseum now blocked off- people attending motorcycle rally evacuating. pic.twitter.com/pS9i9Zl1Fg
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
A LOT of police put here near coliseum where shooting happened. pic.twitter.com/iBKD4XhxBh
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Police placed this man in handcuffs and into ambulance. NOT sure how or whether he's involved. pic.twitter.com/1gUsdGXPw3
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Most people involved in shooting were in a #motorcycle club of some kind. @DenverChannel according to Denver police chief
— Kyle Horan Denver7 (@KyleHoranNews) January 31, 2016
Another ambulance just arrived. pic.twitter.com/YqauVfLPW5
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Most people involved in shooting were in a #motorcycle club of some kind. @DenverChannel according to Denver police chief
— Kyle Horan Denver7 (@KyleHoranNews) January 31, 2016
Vendors packing up after show cancelled for tomorrow. People starting to leave. pic.twitter.com/ImCx0lp2pw
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 31, 2016
Police near what looks like a shoe & other bloody items near SE arena entrance. pic.twitter.com/XUyUqXXyRe
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
People gathered near closed off entrance. Many just got here to catch the expo. NO ONE allowed into arena. pic.twitter.com/wVe9qGokdT
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
Another picture of police response at Denver Health. @DenverChannel must be a dozen @DenverPolice vehicles in view. pic.twitter.com/vifApyZItX
— Kyle Horan Denver7 (@KyleHoranNews) January 30, 2016
Police confirm- 1 person has died- multiple people taken to hospital. Not saying who involved. pic.twitter.com/NqehvH4lfi
— Brendaliss Gonzalez (@brendalissg) January 30, 2016
