Resident startled by intruder after returning home at 1am, fatally shoots suspect

DENVER, CO — An intruder was shot and killed by a resident early Sunday morning in an apartment near the University of Denver campus, Denver police said.

The incident occurred at One Observatory Park, an apartment building on East Evans Avenue, just east of South University Boulevard. The resident, a man, arrived home just before 1 a.m. and was confronted by an intruder in his apartment. Startled by the unexpected presence, the resident acted in self-defense and shot the intruder, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Denver police said the resident is fully cooperating with the investigation. The identity of the intruder has not been released, with police only confirming that it was a man.

This incident underscores the importance of being aware of your surroundings, especially when coming home late at night. Environmental awareness can play a crucial role in personal safety. It is not uncommon for people to be surprised by intruders when they are just getting home and settling in. Making sure you are alert to unusual signs as you approach your home can give you valuable seconds to react and protect yourself. Fortunately, in this case, the resident was able to defend himself effectively.