A family feud in the Toltec neighborhood of Walsenburg ended in fatal violence on June 6, 2017. Steve Salazar, 41, was helping with yard work at his parents’ home at 1434 CR 590 when at least two gunshots rang out. He was struck once in the arm and once in the back; the back wound severed an artery and he died after being taken to Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, pronounced dead shortly after 5 pm.

A black pickup driven by 39-year-old cousin Victor Salazar pulled up during a brief verbal exchange. Victor, still in the truck, fired a handgun, then fled. Deputies and state troopers arrested Victor about an hour later in the Cemetery Hill area; the pickup was recovered but the 9mm pistol was not found. An 11-year-old nephew was present and later provided eyewitness testimony that Steve did not have a rock in his hand when he was shot, contradicting Victor’s claim of self-defense.

Victor Salazar was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a prior offender, felony menacing, and misdemeanor child abuse. He pleaded not guilty; after a week-long trial in November 2019 a jury convicted him on all counts, including premeditated first-degree murder with a mandatory life sentence without parole, plus additional penalties for the other convictions.

If anyone knew Steve or saw the area around 1434 CR 590 on June 6, 2017, please share what you remember.