AURORA, Colo. – A man suspected of shooting at a Jeep that drove into a crowd of protesters on Interstate 225 last month, whose bullets allegedly struck two people, has been charged with eight felony counts, including attempted first-degree murder.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office filed formal charges Monday against Samuel Alvin Young, 23, of Wheat Ridge, in connection with the July 25 shooting, which happened as protesters marched on I-225 calling for justice in the death of Elijah McClain.
Young faces four counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, and two counts of first-degree assault – extreme indifference, according to prosecutors.
According to an affidavit for Young’s arrest which was released last week, Young allegedly shot two people as the driver of the Jeep drove into the crowd of protesters near E. Alameda Avenue around 7 p.m. on July 25.
The affidavit said that two protesters were injured in the shooting – one who was shot in the leg and another who was shot near their temple. Both were taken to the University of Colorado Hospital.
A person who witnessed the shooting said that Young was in “a state of shock” after the shooting and that she believed he was “horrified at what he did.” He dumped the empty shell casings at the scene, according to the affidavit, which were recovered by officers the next day.
Young called the city of Aurora a day after the shooting and identified himself as the person of interest in the shooting, saying he would talk with investigators if he had legal representation.
He was arrested July 27 and has since posted a $75,000 bond.
The district attorney’s office said it and Aurora police are still investigating the shooting “and other incidents that occurred during the demonstration.”
Young is next due back in court Aug. 14 for an advisement hearing.