Fatal Shooting At Denver Protest Leaves One Dead And One In Custody

Protests in Denver turned deadly after a shooting occurred during a right-wing rally and a left-wing counterprotest that took place on Saturday.

One person was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The shooting is now considered a homicide investigation. 

Originally two people were taken into police custody. One was determined to be not affiliated with the shooting and released. The other is still in custody, Division Chief Joe Montoya said in a press conference.

The suspect in custody has been identified as Matthew Dolloff, 30, who is being held for “investigation of first-degree murder,” according to the Denver Police Department. Charges have not yet been filed against the suspect.

UPDATE: Matthew Dolloff (DOB 03-07-1990) is being held for Investigation of First Degree Murder in connection w/the shooting that occurred yesterday at 10 W. 14th Ave. This remains an active investigation; any additional updates will be released as it becomes available. #Denver https://t.co/1Y7Yw7stL0 pic.twitter.com/Va3Lvc1CwT

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 11, 2020

The shooting occurred near the Denver Art Museum when members of the two competing protests got into a verbal altercation. The altercation was witnessed by a staff member for the Denver Post, who said that a member of the “Patriot Rally” sprayed another man with mace. That man then shot the other man with a handgun.

Dolloff was contacted by Pinkerton for 9NEWS. “It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to contact private security to accompany staff at protests,” the publication said.

The incident occurred in view of a city police surveillance camera that caught the altercation on video. Authorities recovered two guns at the scene.

The investigation is still ongoing.