The Denver Police Department is investigating a triple homicide at a transient encampment near the intersection of South Broadway and East Ohio Avenue. Police found the bodies of two men and one woman just after 11 a.m. Thursday.
The victims appear to be homeless, according to DPD Division Chief of Investigations Joe Montoya. The identities or cause of death of the three victims have not yet been determined.
"We want to make sure that all people in Denver, the most vulnerable community members, that they are treated with respect and dignity and that the investigation is just as thorough for them as it would be for anybody else in the city," Chief of Police Paul Pazen said.
A passerby discovered the bodies and alerted police shortly before 11 a.m. Officers arrived at the scene and determined the three deaths to be suspicious in nature, Montoya said.
LIVE: #DPD Division Chief Montoya provides update on the homicide investigation at S. Broadway & Ohio. #Denver https://t.co/Mkh96uXgLa
“We are going to be doing outreach with our community partners, with the transient community, touching base with them, trying to get them resources and help them find safer places to stay,” Montoya said.
While DPD is considering the triple homicide to be an isolated incident, investigators are looking into whether the deaths are connected to a nearby stabbing Thursday morning that left a victim in critical condition. A 20-year-old male suspect has been arrested in that case.
Police will be stepping up security around the nearby Regional Transportation District station and within the homeless population in the area, according to Montoya.
Denver police do not yet have a suspect in the triple homicide.
Montoya said investigators were searching the area near an Interstate 25 underpass for weapons and DNA evidence.
"Open-air scenes are difficult because there could be evidence scattered in various areas, so they're taking their time scouring the area," Montoya said.
Police are asking those with any information in this case or those who saw suspicious activity in the area before 11 a.m. Thursday to call 720-913-STOP.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
