Police ID suspect in shooting death at east Lakewood bar
Police are investigating Tuesday's fatal shooting at the El Torito Bar & Grill.
LAKEWOOD – Police are looking for a 37-year-old Hispanic man in connection with Tuesday’s fatal shooting at an east Lakewood bar,
A Lakewood Police Department spokeswoman Thursday identified Eric Hernandez Montiel as a suspect in the Tuesday night shooting death of Jose Beltran-Galindo, 33, an employee of the El Torito Bar & Grill at 999 Sheridan Boulevard.
The victim apparently was involved in an “altercation” with several men inside the bar about 7:30 p.m., according to Lakewood Police Department spokesman Steve Davis.
“Beltran-Galindo was an employee of the bar and had escorted one or two male patrons outside after some type of altercation had occurred inside,” Davis said. “The males were believed to be associated with three other males who had been in the bar. All of the male parties left following the shooting.”
Police responding to a call from a woman at the bar in a strip mall on the northwest corner of Sheridan and West 10th Avenue found the victim on the ground outside. He was rushed to St. Anthony Central Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 8 p.m.
Davis said investigators determined the victim had been shot at least once. No other details were available.
Investigators previously said they were seeking as many as four suspects, who are believed to have fled the scene in two vehicles: a white Chevrolet van with a dark, possibly black, hood and a sports utility vehicle.
The suspect alert issued by LPD early Thursday morning said the suspect is believed to be driving a light gray 2001 Chevrolet SUV bearing Colorado license plate 346 SMI. The suspect is described as about 5 feet-5 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police urge anyone with information about Montiel’s location or the slaying is urged to call LPD investigators at (303) 987-7111
The homicide is Lakewood’s first of the year.
