Denzel Grimes, a 29-year-old Black man from Albany, New York, died on April 12, 2020, at a hotel in Colonie after an accidental shooting. Grimes had been living at the Days Inn on Central Avenue since mid-March and was in his room that Sunday afternoon when a 9 mm handgun discharged and struck his groin. First responders tried to render aid, but he died of significant blood loss.

An autopsy at Ellis Hospital attributed the cause of death to a single, accidental gunshot wound. The Colonie Police Department investigated and determined the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted; they reported the handgun was not registered to Grimes but had not been reported stolen. The case was closed with no arrests or charges filed.

If anyone remembers Denzel or has additional information about his time at the Days Inn, please share what you know.