The Estes Park Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday evening at approximately 7:10 p.m. in the vicinity of Stanley Avenue and U.S. Highway 36.
Two teenage males were walking near the intersection when they were confronted by occupants of a dark blue SUV. According to Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart, the driver of the vehicle shot at the teens with a handgun.
Prior to the shooting, the teens, ages 14 and 17, had a verbal altercation with the individuals in the SUV that took place on the eastside of the Estes Valley Library.
The teens left the library parking lot and were walking east when they were confronted by the occupants of the vehicle at the intersection of Stanley Avenue and U.S. Highway 36.
The driver of the vehicle fired a single shot in the direction of the victims. Neither of the teens were hit and no one sustained any injuries. Stewart identified one of the two victims as a local resident, but neither had a prior relationship with the individuals in the SUV.
According to StewarT, this was not a random shooting, but a targeted incident directed at the teens related to the verbal altercation in the library parking lot.
In an interview in his office this morning, Stewart said the police have used metal detectors to try to locate the round that was fired. As of right now no evidence has been recovered from the scene.
The EPPD contacted Sgt. Steve Colburn with the Loveland Police Department to inquire about having his specially trained canine help in the investigation. The dog has been trained to smell explosives and gunshot reside, but upon discussion with Colburn, Stewart said it is unlikely that the dog would be able to provide any help in this situation.
Stewart said that from the description provided by the victims, the bullet is believed to have hit the ground.
The police are reviewing security camera footage from several sources to identify the vehicle which traveled out of town eastbound on U.S. Highway 36 immediately after the shooting.
Law enforcement partners in the area were given a description of the SUV and Stewart said the situation is not an ongoing public threat. Stewart said the investigation is ongoing and he asked for the public’s help. If anyone witnessed the event or can provide any additional information, they should contact Detective Jenn Morrow at 970-577-3826 or by email at jmorrow@estes.org.