In the pre-dawn hours of October 1, 2016, gunfire was reported in the 500 block of East Colfax Avenue in Denver. Officers arriving about 2:00 a.m. found 34-year-old Rene R. Wells II suffering apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center and died five days later, on October 6, 2016; his death was ruled a homicide.

Rene Wells was born in Denver on August 24, 1982. He was remembered by family and friends for a big personality, a booming voice, and an infectious laugh. He shared a close bond with his mother Debra and respect for his father Rene Sr., was a protective older brother to Destini, and was a devoted father to his daughter Jayla Anne Wells; he also had a son, Jionni Ahnest Wells, who died before him.

The shooting remains an open, now cold case. No suspects or arrests have been publicly identified. If anyone has information about what happened that October morning, please come forward to help resolve the case.