On July 4, 2019, 36-year-old Jaharie Wheeler was shot once in the chest and later died after a confrontation in the courtyard of his Aurora, Colorado, apartment complex that began over fireworks. The dispute started when Wheeler’s children, ages 9 and 14, were setting off fireworks and a neighbor, Scott Alan Mathews Jr., and his girlfriend, Katherine O’Neal, approached Wheeler’s girlfriend, Shamira Cotton, saying the fireworks were frightening their dogs. The argument escalated into a physical altercation; Mathews reportedly head-butted and pointed a handgun at Cotton. Seeing Cotton bleeding, Wheeler intervened and fought with Mathews.

During the struggle Mathews drew a semi-automatic handgun and fired one shot that struck Wheeler. Attempts to render aid were made but Wheeler was pronounced dead at a local medical center. Mathews was arrested the following day and charged with second-degree murder. Known details about who fired a gun during the incident and the immediate aftermath are described above.

Does anyone have information about what happened that night or knew any of those involved?