UPDATE: Arrest made in Mariscos El Rey Homicide Case
Aurora Police have arrested a 28-year-old woman for the murder of an 18-year-old man that occurred at the Mariscos El Rey Restaurant on December 22, 2020.
Following-up on investigative leads, officers arrested Jacqueline De Paz (DOB: 03/27/92) for 2nd Degree Murder during a traffic stop at East Colfax Avenue and North Boston Street at around 3:30 this afternoon. De Paz was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Aurora Detention Center where she is currently being held on a $1,000,000 bond.
Jacqueline De Paz, DOB: 03/27/92
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commander Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released on December 23, 2020:
On Tuesday December 22, 2020, at 7:59 p.m., multiple 911 callers reported a shooting at Mariscos El Rey 2 located at 10293 East Iliff Avenue.
Upon Aurora police officers arrival an adult male was found in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital were tragically he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Initial information obtained suggests a disturbance in the parking lot led to a male being fatally shot. Right now, investigators are still working to identify a suspect(s) and believe this was an isolated incident.
It is not yet clear if the suspect(s) were known to the deceased, or what caused the disturbance. This homicide investigation remains active and ongoing, and no additional information is known to provide at this time.
The name of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been properly notified.
Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By using crime stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On December 17, 2020, Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson terminated the employment of Officer Jordan Odneal.
On June 4th and June 7th Officer Odneal entered a request for overtime pay into the department’s automated scheduling system for time that he spent completing an on-line training course. In the entry he indicated that his overtime pay had been approved by his supervisor. This was not the case, prior to entering his entry into the system he was told by his supervisor that he was not authorized overtime pay to complete the training.
After the completion of the Internal Affairs Bureau investigation the case was reviewed by a discipline review board and the Independent Review Board (IRB). He was sustained for violating three department directives and both boards recommended termination. After reviewing all the facts and recommendations regarding this case Chief Wilson made the decision to terminate his employment.
“On day one of our academy we instill in our officers the core values of duty, honor and integrity. Through our New Way plan, we have added the important pillar of accountability. Officer Odneal’s actions have diminished those values. Our officers deserve to work alongside someone who upholds these important principles." said Chief Wilson. “I pledge that I will hold those who commit such egregious acts accountable for their actions. I want to reassure our community that the Aurora Police Department has over 750 men and women who are devoted to serving our community every single day.”
Officer Odneal joined the Aurora Police Department in 2011 and was last assignment was Patrol Officer.
IA Investigation Summary
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
Family Book Club Year in Review: "Mimus" by Lilli Thal
by Tess
On Monday, Dec. 28 at 5p.m., Family Book Club will be meeting to discuss our favorite book(s) from this year! Each Monday of December I will be posting a short book recommendation for four of my favorite novels that I read in 2020. Register to receive the Zoom link here.
"When Stars are Scattered" by Omar Mohamed & Victoria Jamieson
In this historical fiction graphic novel, Omar and Hassan are separated from their mother when war hits Somalia. They are forced to flee with neighbors to a refugee camp in Kenya. They live there for 15 years before being relocated to America. The story of their lives is one over 70 million people are currently experiencing and most people never get to leave the camps. This book is an eye-opening account of life in a refugee camp, how difficult it is, but also how much love and support there is in the community, at least in Omar's experience.
I appreciate that it is a graphic novel (and don't let anyone tell you those aren't real books!) because the imagery is that much more powerful. You can literally see how Omar and Hassan lived in the refugee camp. I am a visual learner and I know I'm not the only one! Sometimes it is difficult to imagine another person's experience without actually seeing it for yourself.
The graphic novel is illustrated by Victoria Jamieson who has written many other graphic novels such as "Roller Girl". The dialogue and other text is written by Omar himself, which makes the book a memoir as well. I highly recommend this book!
"When Stars Are Scattered" is available in print as as an eComic via Overdrive, free with your library card.
(December 18, 2020) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit is investigating a deadly hit and run crash that occurred on December 16th, 2020 at the intersection of East Iliff Avenue and South Peoria Street.
At around 7:30 p.m. a 62-year-old man was crossing East Iliff Avenue in the westbound lanes of traffic when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. After striking the man the driver fled the scene of the crash. A passerby found the victim laying in the roadway and called police.
The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment, tragically he died from his injuries today. At this time there is no information about the suspect vehicle or the driver. Investigators are asking anyone with information about this deadly crash to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
This is the 35th fatal accident in the city of Aurora for 2020.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Game reviews by Kristin, Brandon, and Stacy
Hello everyone! We hope you’ll enjoy these reviews for free games to amuse, or frustrate, you! These are a all browser games and none of them will cost you anything to play.
Games that make you go AAAAUGH
QWOP
A browser-based game available here
The premise is simple—on your keyboard, the letters Q & W extend the runner’s thigh muscles, and O & P control his calves. What results is the most uncoordinated, undignified series of face-plants you could possibly imagine. What’s particularly great is, when you’re making even a teeny bit of progress, the music picks up like in an inspiring sports movie. Pro strat: If you get in a kneeling position you can wiggle your way a good distance… until you hit the first hurdle. And yes, if anyone recognized the style, this game was created by the same designer who created Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. -Kristin
This game broke me as a human. Not only did QWOP go splat, but so did my pride - Brandon
Fly Sui
A browser-based game available here
This infuriating game is about catching flies with chopsticks. Each fly you catch gives you more time. Catching them is nearly impossible. In college, some friends and I got really competitive and played this for days, posting screenshots of each new high score. After a while, you get into a meditative trance. You don’t just see the fly, you see where the fly will be, like seeing through the Matrix. You don’t just catch the fly, you are the fly. Best score we saw was 11. -Kristin
I refuse to believe anybody can score in this game. I chop, but they don’t stop! The constant buzzing, I can’t escape it. I just wanted to catch one fly! - Brandon
Wow. This game. I didn’t think there could be a game more frustrating than QWOP until this. My inability to catch flies with one mouse click it somehow stings more than the confusing controls of QWOP and other like “I Am Bread.” - Stacy
High scores: (after 10 minutes)
Kristin – 4
Brandon – 0
Stacy – 2
Winnie the Pooh’s Home Run Derby
A browser-based game available here
If you haven’t heard of this game, buckle in for some internet history. This game became a viral hit back in 2013 due to its insane difficulty. The controls are slow, it requires preternatural reflexes and when you get to higher levels the pitchers cheat with things like invisible or warping balls. The final boss is Christopher Robin, who was difficult enough to inspire dozens of memes depicting him as an Eldritch horror. Pro strat: Click the ‘Status’ button on the home screen to upgrade your abilities, such as Contact to make it easier to hit the ball. I only learned you could do this while writing this review, so no wonder I couldn’t get past Piglet the first time around. -Kristin
This game, I remember this game. It lures you into such a false sense of security. Pleasant music, vibrant colors, and the frame rate seems to hold up! The menu is very responsive, and it’s natural to think you are in a for a good time. The true nature of this game begins to reveal itself in about five minutes in. The hit detection is way off, the music repeats constantly with no variety and worst of all, the pitchers all just stare at you, with their cold eyes. They challenge you, they dare you to take them on. Are you up for the challenge? (No, no you are not. I’m lucky I tied with Kristin) - Brandon
Probably if I had known about the updates, I would have gotten farther than Piglet! But alas, Piglet was where my skills ended. I find the only way I could get home runs was if I blocked out the music and unfocused my eyes and only focused on the sounds of the pitcher throwing. Even then, it was a chance if I actually got a hit! - Stacy
High scores: (after 10 minutes)
Kristin – 11/12 vs. Kanga
Brandon – 11/12 vs Kanga
Stacy – 5/5 vs Lumpy
Shatter one of our records? Let us know! Post your victories (or defeats) in the comments, we love to hear about it.
APL Reader's Corner
with Julie & Elizabeth
Welcome to APL Reader's Corner! This month we are reading "We Met in December" by Rosie Curtis. Let us know what you think about the book in the comments! Check it out instantly as an eBook from hoopla digital.
Looking for some festive romance reads and movies? Check out Holiday Romance and December Movies of the Month on hoopla - free with your library card!
(December 17, 2020) On Saturday March 21st at approximately 5:45p.m officers responded to a homicide at the Windsor Court Apartments located in the 10900 block of East 16th Avenue in Northwest Aurora.
The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Octavius Demond Styles (09/04/1995), please note this is the correct spelling of his name and corrected date of birth from previous releases.
Styles was arrested in Hollywood, Florida on an active Homicide warrant issued by the 17th Judicial District. At this time, Styles is still in the custody of the Broward County Sheriff's Office until he is extradited to Colorado.
The attached booking photo courtesy of the Broward County Sheriff's Office and can also be found online at https://apps.sheriff.org/ArrestSearch/InmateDetail/132001427.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(June 15, 2020) On Saturday, March 21st, 2020, at approximately 5:45 P.M, District 1 Patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Windsor Court Apartments, which are located in the 10900 block of East 16th Avenue in Northwest Aurora.
Through our investigation, we have identified Octavius Demond Styles (09/04/1995) as the suspect. Octavis is described as 5’10”, 175lbs, with multiple tattoos to include distinctive tattoos on his neck (pictured below). Octavis currently has a warrant for First Degree Murder.
We are currently searching for Octavis and we are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to please call 911 or reaching out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released on March 21st, 2020
On Saturday March the 21st at approximately 5:45p.m, District 1 Patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Windsor Court Apartments, which are located in the 10900 block of East 16th Avenue in Northwest Aurora.
Upon arrival officers located an adult male in an apartment who had been shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumb to his injuries.
This case is still an active investigation and at this time there is no additional information to share. Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the general public.
The name of the victim will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Anyone with information about his case is asked to call Agent Prince with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303.739.6127. Tipsters can also call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using crime stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Draw It! Elephant
with Kristin
Grab a pencil and paper - it's time to Draw It! 📝 Our staff member Kristin shows how to draw an elephant!
Welcome to Make & Learn!
with Sara
In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.
In this video, Miss Sara shares how to make a thumb piano, a fun way to encourage singing and practice fine motor skills.
Journey into Readers' Realm with a new genre each month
by Lisa
Our new online book club, Readers' Realm, explores a different genre/category each month and encourages middle school fiction lovers to share their favorite reads - and find some new ones along the way!
Each month, Readers' Realm will dive into a different genre/category. Beginning January 6, and every Wednesday after, a new question or discussion topic will be posted on the APL blog. Middle grade readers can respond any time, as many times as they want, in the comment section of the blog post; there will be no specific meetings. They can also read what other people post and respond to them to get a real discussion going.
And how exciting is this?? Authors S.A. Bodeen ("Shipwreck Island", "The Raft", and more), Dan Gutman ("The Genius Files", "My Weird School", and more), and Roland Smith ("Peak", "Beneath", and more) will occasionally blog with us!
The first genre/category for January is ADVENTURE! We've listed some suggested books below, but it is your choice what book you read – as long as it’s adventurous!
Get reading and get ready to blog about ADVENTURE books.
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