Joe Trujillo

On the night of July 13, 2020, the life of 51-year-old Joe Trujillo came to a violent end. Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were called to his residence in the 3600 block of South Sheridan Boulevard in Lakewood, Colorado, around 9:30 p.m. on a report of shots fired. Inside the home, they found that Trujillo, a Hispanic man, had been shot. He was rushed to a hospital in Denver, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators with the sheriff's office began piecing together the events of that Monday night. From the outset, authorities stated they did not believe the shooting was a random act of violence, suggesting Trujillo may have been targeted. As the investigation unfolded, the public was asked to come forward with any information they might have by calling the sheriff's office or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

The investigation progressed quickly, and within two days, authorities had identified a person of interest. Late on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, deputies arrested 49-year-old Esther Epperson in connection with the homicide.

Epperson was held on suspicion of first-degree murder. According to the sheriff's office, she was waiting to be medically cleared before being booked into the Jefferson County Detention Center. As of her arrest in July 2020, the case was set to move through the judicial system for prosecution.