Bus passenger shot in leg during dispute
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 21, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.
Updated November 22, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.
Text size

A dispute between two RTD bus passengers Thursday night ended with one of them pulling a gun and shooting the other in the leg.
"The victim was taken to Denver Health Medical Center" with injuries that weren't life-threatening, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Friday.
The suspect fled the scene near Kalamath Street and West Colfax Avenue.
Investigators are looking for the suspect and talking to the victim to see what help he can be in identifying the suspect.
RTD spokesman Scott Reed said "it is extremely rare to have any type of weapon used aboard a bus."
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.


November 21, 2008
9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Beergut writes:
The "victim" was using his cell phone in a public place per other sources. Sounds like this could have been justified (not really, but don't people understand how aggregating it can be to listen somebody jabber on for an entire ride - somebody is bound to loose it)
November 21, 2008
9:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:
"Aggregating"?
November 21, 2008
9:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
The victim of this crime should have been carrying the same brand and model of cell phone that this shooting accident victim uses :-)
See: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
Scott
November 21, 2008
9:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
slackerjoe writes:
"aggregating"? and "loose it"? Better english people!!
Irregardless of what some one supposebly done (jabber on a cell phone), people should be conscience of they're writing and how their speaking.
BTW - I recommend using an iPod over shooting someone.
November 21, 2008
9:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
noneyabeeswax writes:
Of course it happened on the 15.
November 21, 2008
10:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
psychoChicken writes:
slackerjoe, LOL
November 21, 2008
10:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Keith43 writes:
The shooter was an Obama supporter. I saw him on the bus and recognized him from when he was on TV during the DNC. A typical democrat - he probably lost his welfare check and took it out on the guy with the cell phone.
November 21, 2008
10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
cedykeman1 writes:
typical gun owners, get big tough and blast someone just cause.
More like cowards that won't fight unless they know they will win
November 21, 2008
10:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Rick1 writes:
slackerjoe -
Seriously, if you're going to dog someone for their spelling/grammar, you may want to spellcheck your own prior to submitting your post. "what some one supposebly done" is terrible - worse than the mistakes made by the poster who you're dissin'. Conscious is also misspelled.
Regarding the low life who pulled the gun, just kill him via firing squad. Individuals such as this who have little regard for others will likely end up shooting someone else.
November 21, 2008
10:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
cedykeman1 writes:
I agree rick1, he's got the flavor now, and is now looking to shoot the next person who irritates him.
November 21, 2008
10:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
Who_Me writes:
Irregardless is not a word.
November 21, 2008
10:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
musicman80 writes:
irregardless... he states...lol. Oh my goodness.
Joe you're slacking off.
November 21, 2008
10:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
whodat writes:
Irregardless is not a word
November 21, 2008
10:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
slackerjoe writes:
rick1...it's called irony...have a slice.
November 21, 2008
10:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
reddog writes:
slackerjoe you sure have some guts, "supposebly"? Better spell check your own work first before checking others.
November 21, 2008
10:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Chatty writes:
Goodness - if people can't seem to understand that slackerjoe was JOKING throughout his post, I just don't no.......
November 21, 2008
10:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Rick1 writes:
no or know?
November 21, 2008
10:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Chatty writes:
Duh Rick1, don't you think I meant to put 'no' instead of 'know'? Are people really this lame?
November 21, 2008
10:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
CharR writes:
Actually for those who don't think irregardless is not a word:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...
November 21, 2008
10:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
Rick1 writes:
"Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead."
November 21, 2008
10:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
slackerjoe - don't suggest that other should use better English when you use a non-word in your post. Irregardless is NOT a word.
November 21, 2008
10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
CharR writes:
But it's still a word. Have a great day, Rick!
November 21, 2008
10:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
slackerjoe writes:
CharR - your link made me sad.
Chatty & psychoChicken - nice work.
rick1, reddog, flyfishdude, et al. - I look forward to your next knee-jerk response.
November 21, 2008
10:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Dirtbag writes:
Rick1 that's funny. Slackerjoe your an idiot. Don't mind me, I'm just here for the spelling lessons.
November 21, 2008
10:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
swimoutpassthebreakers writes:
Hey cedykeman1,
How do you define gun owner? One who purchased there firearm via legitimate gun dealer after being approved with the government required background check?
Or bought, more likely stole the gun on the street by someone who would never be able to pass the state required background check?
I'd bet the farm, the house, and what's left of the 401K, that this perp falls into the later category.
November 21, 2008
10:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
Link writes:
Howe comm yoo mak funn ov peepole hoo cant speel too good?
November 21, 2008
10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
LockNLoad writes:
He couldn't have been a "legal" gun owner and an Obama supporter. That person doesn't exist.
That is like saying an "intelligent" liberal.
November 21, 2008
11:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
slackerjoe,
You drew attention away from the story. I can't believe how many people didn't get you or anyone playing along with you!
November 21, 2008
11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
As far as beergut's incorrect use of aggregate...give him some slack. He's thinking about the aggregate amount he's lost in the stock market.
November 21, 2008
11:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
campesino60 writes:
i r gradueight of evalin wood spelning scool
i learned two spel 1 hunred wers
guns don hurt peples peples do
stics n stowns brak dem bowns
but werds r only werds
November 21, 2008
12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
fishoutawater writes:
I am sofa king we todd did.
November 21, 2008
12:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Frank_Zappa writes:
Lock-n-load says: He couldn't have been a "legal" gun owner and an Obama supporter. That person doesn't exist.
-------
I exist and I'm not alone...
November 21, 2008
1:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
grr8t writes:
My son was the one shot and the news has the whole story wrong. He was not the one in the conflict with the shooter he was trying to avoid the fight between his friend and the shooter when he was accidentally shot by the teenager.
November 21, 2008
1:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
ColoradoNative writes:
"Typical gun owners" that "blast someone just cause"? People who do that are more likely than not carrying an illegal weapon. Most gun-related violence in the US is from people with illegal arms. Do you think gangbangers register the guns they use in their drivebys? Pull your head out. Hint: Most guns in the US are owned by whites while most murder in the US is committed by blacks.
November 21, 2008
2:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
kushku writes:
LOL...slackerjoe and chatty, i love your cents of humur...I guess pepol just don't undastand sarcasm anymore...
November 21, 2008
2:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
c4l2a0 writes:
So, how bout those Broncos?....
November 21, 2008
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
ifyem writes:
RTD=Ready to Drive
November 21, 2008
2:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Logical writes:
Heidi, there are many folks in the RMN forum area that don't understand sarcasm when it slaps them in their face. slackerjoe had a great post, and it was lost on the majority. A pretty sad commentary on the state of the literacy of our society.
November 21, 2008
3:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
Logical, exactly! I think sarcasm is sometimes purposely ignored because it gives people the opportunity to correct or condemn someone.
November 21, 2008
3:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
newsreader1 writes:
RTD = Reason To Drive
November 22, 2008
5:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mtgolfer writes:
"Aggregating"?
Forget it, he's rolling.
November 22, 2008
6:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
slocatch writes:
If it's a good idea to scan prior to flight, why not the buss?
November 22, 2008
7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Level writes:
grr8t, very sorry to hear about your son's injury. Also sorry that most of the comments on this article are flippant and way off topic.
November 22, 2008
9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Who_Me writes:
Accidentally shot? Really, how does that happen? The gun is forced into someone's hand and an act of nature causes the person to squeeze the trigger?
November 22, 2008
9:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
frontpage writes:
Somebody enlighten the the RTD spokesman who says " extremely rare to have ... weapon .. on an RTD bus".
Its Colfax Ave, its 8:30 pm, its public transportation, its gettin cold, the only thing that should be outside is my dog. Get the picture.? If you 're not armed, you should be.
November 22, 2008
3:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
slocatch writes:
frontpage, you are so right. Must have been written by someone who has never been on a bus. I bet if you got on one with a metal detector it would sound like a beehive. But lets all just get along and look the other way, OK?
November 22, 2008
4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Garip writes:
Slackerjoe: Eye thot wat ewe rote waz kre ate if. Wii kan ownlee hop thiz ihdyits sea yur injenewity.
November 22, 2008
4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Garip writes:
GR88T: How's your son doing now? I hope he recovers quickly and the shooter is apprehended and suffers horribly.
November 22, 2008
6:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rickrocker4 writes:
"Typical" gun owners? You are an idiot. I own several guns and have most of my life. I am licensed to carry, CWP in 42 states. I have never had to draw my weapon in any situation. I avoid all trouble at any cost. I dont even have a speeding ticket on my record, how many people can say that? I hope the victim is doing well and I will add this, if there had been a law abiding citizen with a CWP, there would no longer be a "shooter" walking the streets. I agree with the poster who stated the perp was carrying an illegal weapon. If I am ever in a situation where a person is about to be harmed, I will step in to save a life. The more CWP's that are given to law abiding people, the more crime will go down.
November 24, 2008
8:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
grr8t writes:
Accidently means the gun was pointed at the head of the person who the bullet was intended for and then was moved by a hand and accidentally shot a innocent bystander or bus rider by ACCIDENT. RTD should be investigated for not responding accordingly. The two guys in question was fighting all the way from Federal to Kalamath before the gun went off and shot my son. They should have had the police waiting on the other side of the bridge when they got there. But the bus driver continued on the route as if nothing was happening. Thank you Garip my son was lucky and is doing fine.
November 24, 2008
4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
sweetater writes:
grr8t,
So sorry to hear about your son and I hope this post finds him on the mend. You are ever so right RTD should of been held accountable for their actions you may get the run around cause I believe some routes are owned by Laidlaw so they will be pointing the finger. And I bet had this young man pulled out a ciggarette instead of a gun they would of had the police escort him off. The bus driver should of done something, the bullett could of hit him in the back of the head DUMMY (the driver)
November 24, 2008
5:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Garip writes:
sweetater: sorry, I have to comment on this: It isn't should OF, could OF, would OF,... it is SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, WOULD HAVE. When contracted, (should've, could've would've) it may sound like 'uv' but it isn't written 'of'.