Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets fans celebrate after the Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Finals-Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
(Denver, Colorado) — A gunman opened fire, wounding at least 10 people in a mass shooting just as thousands of fans were pouring into the streets last night to celebrate the Nuggets winning the NBA championship.
Three people are in critical condition. The gunman is in custody. The bullets flew near the Ball Arena where the Nuggets play.
Police have not detailed a motive for the gunfire.
“As far as what led up to this altercation that resulted in the shots being fired, that’s still under investigation at this time,” police spokesperson Doug Schepman said. “It did occur in the area where we had the largest gathering of folks celebrating during the night.”
Schepman said police had beefed up their presence in the area in advance of the celebration.
“We had a lot of officers in that immediate area of 20th and Market when the shooting occurred, which is why the response to it was so quick,” he said.
The Nuggets took down the Heat in Game 5 of the Finals Monday night in Denver to capture the franchise’s first ever title.
The city has set a celebratory parade in downtown Denver for Thursday morning.
