In the early morning hours of December 28, 2022, gunfire broke out in the 300 block of South Salem Street in Aurora, Colorado. Officers arriving at about 3:30 a.m. found 25-year-old Robert Junior Cain, a Black male, lying outside with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead; the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.

Aurora Police investigators developed the case quickly. By the evening of December 28, police announced the arrest of 22-year-old C Vontae Smith on suspicion of first-degree murder. Reports say Cain and Smith were acquaintances. Police continue to ask anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

If anyone knew Robert Junior Cain or has information about what happened that morning, please share what is known with investigators.