On the evening of September 30, 2023, a planned meeting in the Southlands shopping mall parking lot in Aurora, Colorado, ended in gunfire and the death of 15-year-old Raphael Velin. The encounter, around 8:30 p.m., was believed by investigators to be connected to a risky transaction. Multiple shots were fired; Raphael was struck, treated by first responders and taken to a local hospital, where he died. His death was ruled a homicide.

Witnesses saw four or five Black males flee in a black four-door sedan; that vehicle was later recovered. Investigators identified several suspects believed to be juveniles or young adults. A 16-year-old turned himself in on October 10 and a 17-year-old was arrested on November 15, both charged with second-degree murder and aggravated robbery. Additional arrests followed, and 18-year-old Dhaevontae Rogers-Broadus later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 30-year prison sentence for his role in the aggravated robbery. Investigators were unable to determine who fired the fatal shot.

If anyone witnessed the meeting or the getaway that night, or has information about the people involved, please come forward.