David Lara

David Lara, a 59-year-old Hispanic man, was a familiar and well-loved presence in his Denver community. Known for his kind heart and love of music, he was often seen playing his guitar, an act through which he shared his passion and brought smiles to those around him. His daughter, Rosita Cordova, remembered his music and singing. Though he had been experiencing homelessness, his family recalled him as a man who would do a lot for the people he knew. He was a father to a daughter and two sons, and a grandfather to six.

On the afternoon of April 1, 2021, Lara was sitting at a bus stop near the intersection of Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue, simply minding his own business. A tan SUV drove by, and an occupant fired a gun out of the window in what was described as an act of gang-related violence. Lara, an innocent bystander, was caught in the crossfire and struck by a stray bullet in the chest. Paramedics arrived and tried to save him, but he died from his injuries. A second man at the bus stop, 22-year-old De'Angelo Tafoya, was also shot and killed.

The police investigation began immediately. Witnesses described the suspect vehicle, and about five minutes after the shooting, officers stopped a Honda CRV that matched the description. They found cartridge casings in and around the vehicle and arrested the two occupants. The suspects were identified as Elias Chavez and Tlaloc Chavez, both 22 years old at the time.

The Denver District Attorney's Office filed formal charges against both men, including two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of David Lara and De'Angelo Tafoya. The case went to trial the following year. In September 2022, separate juries convicted both men. Elias Chavez was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with extreme indifference, and attempted murder. Tlaloc Chavez was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder with extreme indifference. On September 28, 2022, a judge sentenced both men to two life sentences in prison.