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Melissa Milan said her friend Todd Kidd was a natural protector and died protecting his community.
DENVER — A deadly shooting Wednesday evening in the River North neighborhood where Melissa Milan lives came as a shock to her. When she found out who was killed, she was devastated.
Milan said her friend Todd Kidd was shot while at work at Federales at 29th and Larimer streets. She and Kidd had been introduced through mutual friends, and had been friends for about two years.
“We got close over this past winter because I had some knee surgery and he had a lot of injuries, himself, through snowboarding and hockey, so we connected through that,” Milan said.
Milan said she remembers while she was in recovery, he would visit her often after he got off work.
“I enjoyed his company,” Milan said. “Tacos and margaritas on the back porch were definitely something we enjoyed together quite a few times.”
Milan said he worked at the restaurant as a bouncer.
“Perfect job for him was a bouncer, security guard at a club, because he was known as a protector,” Milan said.
Milan said protecting others was the last thing Kidd did before he was shot and killed.
Denver police said he intervened in a fight outside the restaurant around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigators said the suspected shooter is Steven Joseph Marquez, also known as “Esco,” a 14-year-old boy.
“I mean, if it had been any other time of year, you would assume that someone 14 would be home, getting ready for school the next day,” Milan said. “I’m sure Todd never expected this kid to have a gun on him.”
As of Monday night, Denver police said Marquez has not been arrested, and is considered armed and dangerous.
“I’m still in shock,” Milan said. “Just floored this happened in this neighborhood we all know and love where we feel safe, and that the shooter is still at large.”
While Marquez is still on the streets, Milan knows Kidd isn’t. She said it’s a hard reality she is still struggling to cope with.
“He was a big protector, so I think it’s reasonable to say we’ll all feel a lot less safe, in general, after this happened,” Milan said. “But just in general, there will be a lot less love and protection and safety.”
A GoFundMe for Kidd’s family has raised more than $20,000 in four days following the shooting.
Federales management said the restaurant also donated a portion of its weekend sales to the family. The restaurant is hosting a candlelight vigil for Kidd at 8 p.m. Monday.
“He was a fixture in this neighborhood,” Milan said. “He’ll be missed for sure.”
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