Fort Collins police have responded to a report of a drive-by shooting that occurred around 12:52 p.m. today in the vicinity of Locust and Stover Streets.
Two teenage males were walking in the area when a verbal exchange between the victims and suspects occurred. One male suspect exited the car and fired several shots in the vicinity of the victims. No one was injured. Two uninvolved citizens were in the area when the shots were fired.
The suspects, described as two Hispanic males, ages unknown, fled the area in a gold 4-door sedan. One suspect is believed to have a small amount of facial hair.
As a precautionary measure, Laurel Elementary School has been placed on a soft lockout, meaning the doors have been locked to control ingress and egress while classes continue as normal.
Anyone who sees a vehicle and suspects matching the description are asked to get a license plate number and call police. Do not attempt to follow or stop the suspects.
UPDATE 112211:
Fort Collins police have arrested 21-year-old Blossom Eva Sanchez (D.O.B. 2/24/90) of Ault, CO and 22-year-old Luis Daniel Gomez (D.O.B. 1/17/89) of Fort Collins in connection with the drive-by shooting incident at Stover and Locust Streets on November 15. Sanchez and Gomez were detained around 2:30 p.m., questioned and transported to the Larimer County jail around 10 p.m. and are under investigation for 3 counts of 1st degree assault (F3) and 3 counts of felony menacing (F5).
Sanchez and Gomez became involved in a verbal altercation with one of victim’s of the drive-by shooting around 12:15 p.m. yesterday at Wal-Mart, 1250 E. Magnolia Street, and was observed throwing rocks at the victim in the parking lot before leaving the area in Sanchez’s vehicle, a 1998 Gold Mercury Sable. The argument is believed to have been gang motivated as gang derogatory remarks were exchanged. The victim and his friend left the area on foot.
Around 12:45 p.m. the victims observed a gold sedan driven by Sanchez at Elizabeth and Stover Streets. Words were again exchanged and Gomez allegedly exited the vehicle and fired 4 to 6 rounds from a .45 caliber handgun at the victims before leaving the area.
Sanchez’s vehicle was located leaving a mobile home park in the 4400 block of East Mulberry traveling eastbound on Highway 14. The vehicle was stopped near mile marker 151 and both suspects were detained, along with another 25 year-old male, and transported to the Fort Collins Police Department for questioning.
A search warrant was executed at Gomez’s home at 4412 E. Mulberry Street and a .45 caliber handgun was recovered.
The case remains under investigation. No booking photographs will be released at this time as they may be used in photo lineups.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Scott Crumbaker at 970-416-2271.