Article Launched: 05/11/2005 03:31:02 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/frontpage/ci_2725725
police shooting
Wide net cast in manhunt
Investigators believe that Raul Garcia-Gomez, 19, could be anywhere from here to L.A. to Mexico.
By Sean Kelly
Denver Post Staff Writer


After he failed to return home to his newborn daughter or show up for work at a Cherry Creek North restaurant, investigators believe the suspect in the ambush killing of a Denver police officer could be anywhere from here to Mexico.

Raul Garcia-Gomez, 19, was named Tuesday as the man wanted in a shooting that killed Detective Donald "Donnie" Young and wounded Detective John "Jack" Bishop early Sunday at a southwest Denver baptismal party where the officers were working off-duty.

"There is no doubt in our mind that this is the killer," police Division Chief Dave Fisher said.

Garcia-Gomez's 18-year-old girlfriend, Sandra Rivas, gave birth to their daughter, Stacy, three weeks ago.

His girlfriend's mother, Rosalba Rivas, said the dispute at the Salon Ocampo social hall, 1733 W. Mississippi Ave., started after Garcia-Gomez went outside the party and the officers stopped him from re-entering.

Later, she heard shots.

"It was ugly," Rosalba Rivas said.

Police say Garcia-Gomez, originally from Mexico, may be headed to Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Mexico. Police Chief Gerry Whitman said a bulletin with Garcia-Gomez's photo has been distributed through the FBI to law-enforcement agencies worldwide.

Denver police have identified Raul Garcia-Gomez as the suspect in the shooting that killed one off-duty officer and injured another. (Denver Police Department)

Although police continued to search Denver for Garcia-Gomez's white Dodge Neon, authorities obtained a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, which brings federal resources to the all-out search. Whitman encouraged anyone with information to call police immediately but cautioned citizens against approaching the "armed and dangerous" man.

"He is treacherous," Whitman said, "and he will not go easily."

Police identified Garcia-Gomez in the early morning hours Tuesday after receiving a tip Monday. Whitman said that anonymous tipster might be in line for part of the $50,000 reward.

Photographs of the suspect show a relaxed young man posing for the camera. A tattoo on his left hand appears to spell the name "Gregoria." The photos and description were distributed on a bulletin with "WANTED FOR MURDER!" printed in bright red letters.

Garcia-Gomez lived in Denver for less than a year and worked as a dishwasher at the Cherry Cricket, a popular Cherry Creek burger restaurant owned in part by Mayor John Hickenlooper.

The mayor said he is shocked and saddened by the news, even though he never knew the suspect or even heard his name before Tuesday.

"It's chilling," Hickenlooper said. "It's chilling, if true, that you could work beside someone like that."

Restaurants, he said, are so close-knit, that for employees it's "like having a coldblooded killer in the family."

The mayor's restaurant interests are held in a trust while he serves in office. Lee Driscoll, chief executive of Wynkoop Holdings Inc., which owns the Cherry Cricket, said Garcia-Gomez presented Social Security and resident alien cards when he was hired.

The company last month received a letter from the government that said the number and name did not match. Because employers are prohibited by law from taking punitive action against the employee, the restaurant planned to instruct Garcia-Gomez to contact the Social Security Administration, Driscoll said.

Whitman said detectives have slept little since Sunday morning.

"They're running on adrenaline and doughnuts," he said. "I asked for 24 (hours), but we got it done in 48."

Garcia-Gomez has no prior criminal record in Colorado, although police say he may have used aliases. He did receive three traffic tickets - one for speeding, one for running a stoplight, one for infractions following an accident - in the short time he was in Denver.

In one traffic stop, he presented a Mexican driver's license. In the others, he was cited for not having a valid license and failing to show proof of insurance.
He received the most recent ticket April 18. He was scheduled for a court date May 19 for a second ticket.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., issued a statement asking Hickenlooper why Garcia- Gomez's immigration status was not scrutinized during the traffic stops.

Police were unsure Tuesday when Garcia-Gomez first came to the United States or whether he was in the country legally. He lived for a time in California and has family in Nevada. Police say they are in contact with Mexican authorities. Officials said they anticipate he could be extradited from Mexico if he is caught there.

It's unclear whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty if he is caught. Colorado law allows the death penalty on a first-degree murder conviction with aggravating factors. Those factors include killing a public servant - such as a police officer - or ambushing the victim.

Young's family and police are now preparing for his funeral Friday at the downtown Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. John Horan, president of Horan & McConaty funeral service, said it will be one of the biggest the city has seen.

The public is invited, but seats will be scarce. About 3,000 people are expected to attend. The cathedral seats about 1,000. Organizers are planning to put audio and possibly video outside.

After the funeral, there will be a lengthy procession along West Sixth Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard to Fort Logan National Cemetery, where Young will be buried. Horan said he expects many residents will line the route Friday to pay respects.

"I just know it means a great deal to the family and law-enforcement community that people care enough," Horan said.

Police hope to have Garcia-Gomez in custody by then. Whitman said the suspect will be caught. Fisher, division chief of investigations, appealed directly to the man: "Please turn yourself in."

Staff writers Elizabeth Aguilera, Kris Hudson and Howard Pankratz contributed to this report.

Staff writer Sean Kelly can be reached at 303-820-1858 or skelly@denverpost.com.