Carl L. Kern IV

The life of Carl L. Kern IV, a 37-year-old White man, was cut short on the morning of May 7, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. Around 7:53 a.m., police were dispatched to an apartment complex at 10700 East Dartmouth Avenue following reports of a disturbance. The caller described a drunk person, naked from the waist down, who was yelling at children.

When officers arrived at the complex, they located Kern, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was immediately transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. A witness who lived in the complex told police they heard a disturbance that morning. The witness reported hearing what they thought was a female voice sternly saying, “Don’t do that sh--.” This was followed by the sounds of pounding and kicking at a door, and then a single “pop” that sounded like a gunshot.

The investigation into the shooting quickly led police to an apartment belonging to a resident, 23-year-old Jeremy Polito. Investigators went to Polito’s unit to interview him. While inside the apartment, officers observed a clear bag containing spent rifle cartridges. They also saw foil and narcotics packaging in the unit.

On the Monday following the shooting, the Denver Police Department arrested Jeremy Polito. He was held for investigation of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Carl Kern. As of his arrest in May 2021, the case against Polito was proceeding through the court system.