Correction: Police initially transposed the first and last name of the suspect. This story has been updated to reflect the suspect’s correct name.
DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Police Department is investigating a shooting involving a Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design student on Monday afternoon.
Police said the shooting happened around 4 p.m. near 14th Avenue and Downing Street. According to DPD, the boy’s mother was driving and stopped quickly when a suspect walked into traffic. She continued eastbound on 14th Street and as she drove away, heard several gunshots from behind her car.
“I told him to get out of the road. He was yelling. I told him to get out of the road. You’re going to get hit. Apparently, he didn’t like that,” the boy’s mother Kiri told FOX31’s Vicente Arenas.
She said the man was making strange loud noises.
“He let us drive by. He stepped into the middle lane. I kept going on the side lane and he just shot at us like 17 times,” Kiri said.
“I looked at my mom, I heard the gunshots. I tried to duck and then I looked over at my arm and it was bleeding,” her son Kamorin said.
The 13-year-old was shot in the arm and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“I was just wondering why he did this,” Kamorin said.
Police said Katrelle James, 22, has been identified as the suspect and was taken into custody Monday night. He is being held for investigation of attempted first-degree murder and the Denver District Attorney’s office will determine the final charges against James.
“I don’t even know I have no idea what to even say,” Kiri said. She said the two are just glad to be alive.
A friend of the family has set up a fundraiser for the boy in his recovery.
Resources for students
Denver Public Schools shared the following resources for students:
- Safe2Tell Colorado 877-542-7233 An anonymous way to report unsafe and risk (phone, app, online reporting options)
- Second Wind Fund 303-988-2645 Provides free counseling to underinsured and uninsured youth that are suicidal
- Colorado Crisis and Support Line 844-493-8255, or Text TALK to 38255
- Resource for mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis help – information and referrals National Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255 24-hour toll-free confidential suicide prevention hotline
- Trevor Project Hotline 866-488-7386 Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth
If you have any information about this shooting, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.