ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Police are asking witnesses to come forward after a well-known chef was shot multiple times near his home in Englewood Saturday night.
Nick Lewis worked as the Executive Chef at Blackbird Public House in Denver. Restaurant owner Brian Midtbo described him as a creative and inspiring chef who was a friend to everyone he worked with. He also said everyone knows that Nick's pride and joy was his young son.
Lewis was shot in the 3000 block of Acoma shortly after 8:30 p.m. Saturday night. Neighbors report hearing a series of four gunshots. One woman heard a car speed away a short time later.
"I just hope that they catch whoever did it...it was senseless," said Sherry Larson, a witness.
Englewood police detectives are working several leads but do not have a motive or any suspects. Also unsettling to neighbors, they don't know if the shooting was random or targeted.
The Denver restaurant community shared sympathies on social media. Lewis spent time working at several popular restaurants, including Root Down and the Denver Biscuit Company.
A tweet from the Denver Biscuit Company reads, "With heavy hearts we say good-bye to an amazing chef, wonderful co-worker, and caring father & friend, Nick Lewis."
The owner of the Blackbird Public House posted on Facebook, "Those that knew Nick are having a hard time understanding how such a kind and gentle person could be taken from us in such a violent manner."
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