DENVER – Police announced Monday they had arrested a man suspected of killing another man outside a downtown Denver homeless shelter Sunday.
Jonathan Diaz-Jimenez, 27, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder Sunday shortly after the homicide occurred outside the Samaritan House shelter just before 11 a.m. Sunday, according to an affidavit for his arrest.
The affidavit says that an “elderly” man had denied Diaz-Jimenez money when he asked, after which Diaz-Jimenez allegedly started punching the man repeatedly and choking him.
Video from the scene showed the two arguing across Lawrence Street before the altercation. According to the affidavit, the video showed the older man drop his cane and trying to get away from Diaz-Jimenez before Diaz-Jimenez began hitting him.
After the man fell to the ground, Diaz-Jimenez continued to struggle with the victim and appeared to grab at his throat area, the affidavit says.
As they struggled, Diaz-Jimenez also fell to the ground. Some bystanders went to help the victim off the ground, after which he suddenly fell and became unresponsive, the affidavit says.
Diaz-Jimenez allegedly punched another person in the face before leaving the scene, though he was arrested just minutes later near the intersection of Park Ave. and Broadway.
The victim was pronounced dead shortly after the altercation as well. The Denver coroner’s office has so far not identified the victim.
Police are not releasing a mug shot of Diaz-Jimenez at this time because they say the investigation is ongoing.