(January 19, 2020)  UPDATE:  Two arrests have been made in this case. 

Marcus Smith (DOB-08-15-1994) has been charged with CRS 18-3-103 Attempted Second Degree Murder.

Cubanicqua Lawrence (DOB 01-07-1997) has been charged with CRS 18-3-103 Attempted Second Degree Murder, 18-4-202 First Degree Burglary and 18-4-302 Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery.   

A third suspect in this case remains in the hospital. We do not have an update on his status. 

We will not be releasing any additional information about this case as it is now being prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Further information will need to be obtained by their offices. 

On October 24^th, 1996, at about 0800 hours, Aurora police officers and homicide detectives were dispatched to the alley in the 1200 block of Iola Street.  They discovered the body of twenty-five-year-old Tangie Sims.  Her body had been dumped at the location after she was violently assaulted and stabbed to death.  The initial investigation revealed Sims was last seen walking to a semi-truck.  In addition, it was determined the suspect had cut himself during the murder and had left drops of blood at the scene.  Samples of the suspect’s blood were recovered.

Unfortunately, the case went cold and remained that way for a lengthy period of time.  Current MCHU Detectives Steve Conner and Michael Prince continued to work this case for the family of the victim.  They never quit following up on leads and revisiting the case file.  They knew the best chance of solving this homicide would be through the recovered blood left by the suspect and the incredible advancements that had been made in DNA analysis.

In 2019 advancements in DNA, specifically genealogical research, lead to a break in the case.  United Data Connect, Inc. through the excellent forensic work a genealogist produced a possible suspect by comparing the blood sample to known DNA from a relative.  Detectives Conner and Prince immediately began following up on this information.  The leads took them to North Dakota and Idaho where they located a member of the suspect’s immediate family.  The family member was cooperative and provided a DNA sample to the detectives. 

United Data Connect, Inc. was able to positively identify Wesley Backman DOB 04/12/1955 as the suspect in this horrible crime.  Detectives learned that Backman had passed away in 2008.  The detectives discovered Backman had been an over the road truck driver and had lived in many different locations throughout the United States to include Aurora, CO. 

The excellent work done by the original investigators, the incredible determination of Detectives Conner and Prince, as well as the amazing work done by United Data Connect, Inc. allowed the family of Sims to finally obtain some solace and closure.  The costs of this investigation were provided by Crime Stoppers which continues to provide invaluable assistance with criminal investigations. 

Detectives Conner and Prince continue to work with other police agencies across the country to determine if Backman was responsible for additional unsolved homicides.


Aurora Police Department 
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

(January 13, 2020) UPDATE: The Aurora Police Department is announcing the arrest of a suspect involved in the shooting that occurred less than 48 hours ago in the 17100 block of East Adriatic Place.

Through dedication and hard work by countless members of this organization, detectives have arrested a 16-year-old male and charged him with Attempted First Degree Murder among numerous other criminal offenses.

Due to the ongoing investigation efforts and the suspect being a juvenile, his name and booking photo will not be released at this time. 

We are continuing our investigative efforts to search for additional suspects related to this case. If you have any information about this incident, you are urged to reach out to Agent Barchetti at 303.739.1836. Tipsters can also call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).  Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

This case will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Any further inquires about this case will need to be directed to their office. 

Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information Previously Release

(January 12, 2020) On January 11, 2020, Aurora Police Public Safety Communications Division received a 911 call around 10:55 P.M. advising that someone had been shot. Officers were immediately dispatched to 17100 block of East Adriatic Place and arrived on scene within 90 seconds.

Once officers arrived on scene, they located evidence to support that the shooting occurred in one of the apartments. Officers found three people still on scene who were suffering from gunshot wounds. These three individuals were then transported to area hospitals by ambulance. It was learned that there were two other victims but that they already left the scene in a private vehicle. These two other victims arrived at a nearby medical facility where they were then transported to an area hospital by ambulance. In total, there were five people shot.

There are three juvenile victims (two female, one male) and two adult male victims. All three juveniles are over the age of 16. All are listed in serious condition but expected to survive.

We only have a description for one of the suspects. They are described as a black male wearing a yellow hooded sweatshirt. There could possibly be additional suspects, but until we are able to interview witnesses and victims, we are unable to confirm this. At this time, a suspect has not been arrested.

The investigation into this shooting is still active and ongoing. If you have any information or video of the crime, please contact Agent Chris Fanning with the District 3 Detective Unit at 303-627-3161. Tipsters can also call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).  Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

We understand that an incident like this can be unnerving to those who live in the area. Our top priority right now is to ensure the safety of our residents and to identify the ones responsible for this and quickly arrest them. We will also be increasing police patrols in the area and Officers from the District 3 Police Area Representative Unit (PAR) will be spending their day in the neighborhood.

The following statement from Interim Chief Vanessa Wilson:
"This investigation is a top priority for our agency. We have all of our resources working around the clock right now conducting interviews and collecting evidence. We need the community to come together with us to stop this senseless violence to protect our youth. We continue to ask anyone with information to please call us with any information they may have." 


Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095

(January 8, 2020) On Wednesday January 8, 2020, at approximately 8:24 a.m. Aurora Police Officers were dispatched to the area of East Tennessee Place and South Truckee Street on a report of suspicious parties in the area.

The 911 caller described the suspicious parties as two juvenile females and one juvenile male, all approximately 15 years of age, who were associated with a red Honda CRV.  The caller also advised the parties were looking into homes, and believed they may be attempting to commit a burglary.  Officers learned the Honda CRV was stolen out of Colorado Springs as they were arriving on scene.

Upon officers arrival they confronted a juvenile male in the stolen vehicle.  The officer made the decision to discharge his weapon which did not strike the juvenile male.  The juvenile male was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.  A handgun was recovered from the vehicle.

All responding officers were equipped with body-worn cameras and will be reviewed as part of this investigation.  The involved officer has worked for the Aurora Police Department for 15 years, and has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings at the Aurora Police Department.  The officer will be placed on administrative leave per Aurora Police Department policy.

This incident is being investigated by members of the Aurora Police Department, Denver Police Department and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in accordance with Senate Bill 15-219.

Once this investigation is complete it will be presented to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for criminal culpability review. We are requesting all members of the public who were a witness to the events leading up to and after the officer-involved shooting to contact Agent Sutherland at 303.739.6406.

Officer Crystal McCoy

Public Information Officer

Aurora Police Department

720.432.5095

(January 6, 2020) On Monday January 6, 2020, Denver police officers were conducting a stolen vehicle investigation in the City of Denver which led them into the City of Aurora. 

At approximately 6:05 p.m. Denver police officers requested emergency assistance from the Aurora Police Department while in the 13700 block of East Iliff Avenue after an adult male exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot.  

During the ensuing foot pursuit, the male produced a handgun and at least one Denver police officer made the decision to discharge their weapon striking the armed male who later succumbed to his injuries in an area hospital at approximately 6:33 p.m. 

The identity of the male will be released by the Denver County Coroner’s Office pending positive identification, and notification of his next-of-kin. 

This officer-involved shooting caused the southbound off-ramp from I-225 onto East Iliff Avenue to be closed for several hours while officers investigated this incident. 

The involved Denver police officer(s) nor any members of the public were injured as a result of this incident.  Any further requests for information related to the involved Denver police officers should be directed to the Denver Police Department Public Affairs Office. 

In accordance with Senate Bill 15-219 members of the Aurora Police Department, Denver Police Department, and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will investigate this officer-involved shooting.  Once this investigation is complete it will be presented to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for a criminal culpability review.

We are requesting all members of the public who were a witness to the events leading up to and after the officer-involved shooting to contact Agent J. Krieger at 303.739.6113.

Officer Crystal McCoy

Public Information Officer

Aurora Police Department

720.432.5095