Sixteen-year-old Ryan A. Robertson, a student at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, was fatally shot on May 6, 2019, in an incident tied to jealousy over a relationship. Earlier that day the victim’s new girlfriend’s 18-year-old ex-boyfriend, Joseph McCaughin, had broken into her home and threatened to kill her and her new partner; McCaughin reportedly had a history of stalking and physical abuse during a roughly three-year relationship that ended about a year before the shooting.

That evening Robertson went with a 15-year-old friend to Wagon Trail Park to confront McCaughin about his behavior. During a verbal exchange McCaughin produced a semi-automatic handgun from a backpack and fired multiple shots, striking Robertson three times — in the head, lower back, and right arm. The shooting happened near Independence Elementary School while children and adults were outside. Robertson died en route to the hospital.

McCaughin fled the scene and initially gave false information about his whereabouts; cell phone records placed him at the park. Law enforcement later located and arrested him in Georgia. Anyone who knew Ryan or saw activity at Wagon Trail Park that evening is asked to come forward with information.