Family of aquarium shooting victim wants help finding killer

28 February 2024, 05:00 published

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At around 3 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Denver Police responded to the Downtown Aquarium for a shooting.

DENVER — Police are still searching for the person responsible for killing a teenager on Valentine’s Day.

The shooting happened in broad daylight, just outside of the Downtown Aquarium in Denver. The victim was 19-year-old Dacien Salazar.

His mother, Roxanne Coca, described him as a goofy big brother to his four siblings.

“He was always joking, so his laughter and his smile was very contagious,” she explained. “He was born to be a big brother, just him being that protector was so natural to him, and I always admired that about him.”

Coca said Salazar lived in southern Colorado with her. He was in Denver on Valentine’s Day, spending the day at the aquarium with his friends.

“Around 7 p.m., I messaged him and said, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, we love you,'” Coca said. “My phone rang, and my other son was on the line, and he was just screaming.”

At around 3 p.m. on Feb. 14, Denver Police responded to the aquarium on the 700 block of Water Street for a shooting. Authorities said shots were fired from a car and Salazar was killed. Investigators believe he was the intended target.

“The hardest goodbyes are the ones that you don’t expect,” Coca continued. “I mean the grief, I mean, it’s just been an awful thing to continue to wake up to.”

“It’s sad that he passed at such an early age because I know he would have done tremendous things,” said Bobby Salazar, the victim’s dad. “He really was a shining light to those around him.”

The teen’s parents struggle with the new reality that their son is gone, they just hope justice is found.

“I just would ask the community to come forward if they have facts and stuff and kind help to give closure in this case,” his dad said.

“Dacien was loved, and I just want somebody to say something that would help us solve who did this to him,” Coca added.

Denver Police said there are no updates and the case is still under investigation. Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 dollar reward for any information that leads to an arrest.