Denver Detective Fatally Shot, Another Wounded, Ambush Style

Update: BOLO: Denver Police Identify Detective's Murder Suspect

By ERIN GARTNER
Associated Press Writer

The suspect above is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a Denver detective working security Sunday. (AP Photo/Denver Police Department)

DENVER- An off-duty police detective providing security for a private party was shot to death, and a second detective was wounded.

A manhunt was under way Monday and a $50,000 reward was being offered in the search for information into the shooting of Donald R. Young, 43.

Young, a married father of two and a decorated detective, was shot three times from behind around 1 a.m. Sunday, authorities said. Detective John H. Bishop was treated for a minor gunshot wound in his back and released.

The motive was not known.  Police Chief Gerry Whitman called it an ambush and said the officers were shot in the back and never had a chance to defend themselves. Young and Bishop were off-duty but in uniform while providing security outside a rental hall often used for birthday and baptism parties.

"I don't ever remember a Denver police officer being ambushed in this manner," Whitman said.

"I think it's just disgusting. The department's going to do anything it can to bring this person or persons to justice."

Two other officers who were nearby rushed to the aid of the fallen detectives and saw a man fleeing with what appeared to be a weapon, authorities said.

"This was cold-blooded murder," Mayor John Hickenlooper said in a statement. "And we will not rest until we bring those responsible to justice."

Young, a 12-year veteran, had worked with the vice-narcotics and domestic violence units. He was assigned to the fugitive-bomb squad when he was killed.

The last fatal shooting of a Denver officer was in 1997, when Bruce VanderJagt was gunned down by a robbery suspect who later killed himself.


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