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On Sunday, May 3, 2026, at about 1:55 a.m., Denver police officers near 16th Street received a ShotSpotter notification for gunfire near 16th and California Street. A dispatcher then alerted them to a shooting at the same location.

The officers arrived within about one minute. Before they could check on the shooting victim, someone flagged them down and pointed out the subject who had shot him. Officers saw the man near the entrance of an apartment building in the 700 block of 16th Street.

The man, later identified as 24-year-old Luis Johnson, entered the building's vestibule while ignoring commands to stop. Officers followed him inside and continued giving commands. Johnson was holding a firearm in his right hand and began turning toward the officers.

Two uniformed Denver officers fired their handguns, striking Johnson. Officers secured him and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived. Johnson was taken to a hospital, later released, and remained in custody on an investigative hold for investigation of first-degree assault while the District Attorney's Office reviewed the case.

The original shooting victim was found near 16th and California with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was taken to a hospital and was expected to recover. No officers were injured.

Investigators recovered a black .45-caliber Glock 21 with one round in the chamber and 11 rounds in the magazine, along with a belt holster and another magazine loaded with 17 rounds. The two officers fired a combined nine rounds.