UPDATE: Arrest Made: Aurora Police Department Investigating Fatal Double Stabbing
(Nov. 28, 2023) – A suspect wanted in connection with a double stabbing homicide in October in northwest Aurora was arrested late last month in a small town in Missouri.
The homicides occurred about 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, when passersby notified nearby Aurora patrol officers of two apparent stabbing victims in the 11200 and 11300 blocks of East Colfax Avenue. Both victims died from their injuries and were later identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office as 58-year-old Otto Washington and 44-year-old Desmond Thomas.
Aurora Police Department Major Crime Homicide Unit detectives developed Deven Jay Dobbins, 30, as a suspect in the investigation and obtained a nationwide warrant for his arrest. Aurora police’s fugitive unit later developed information Dobbins was in Brookfield, Mo. and in late October contacted local law enforcement authorities for help with a search.
Police officers from the Brookfield Police Department, deputies from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted with the search. It was a Missouri state trooper who ultimately located Dobbins on Oct. 28, 2023, and made the arrest.
“Our law enforcement partners in Brookfield, Linn County and with the Missouri State Highway Patrol provided amazing support to our investigation and invested many hours searching for Mr. Dobbins,” said Sean Mitchell, lieutenant with Aurora’s Major Crime Homicide Unit. “An alert state trooper assigned to assist with the search located Dobbins walking down the street and arrested him without incident.”
Dobbins was returned to Colorado on Nov. 18, 2023, and booked into the Arapahoe County Jail on two charges of second-degree murder. No additional suspects are outstanding, and no additional arrests are expected.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP23-207177
Information previously released.
Aurora Police Department Investigating Fatal Double Stabbing
(Oct. 18, 2023) – The Aurora Police Department Major Crime Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal double stabbing that occurred Monday in an alley in the Del Mark Parkway neighborhood.
Aurora patrol officers were near the 11200 block of East Colfax Avenue when about 8 p.m. a passerby reported finding a man lying in the street a short distance away at the intersection of Colfax and Lima Street. Officers responded and located the man, who was suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Officers performed lifesaving actions on the man until medical responders arrived at the scene. The man was rushed to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. The man has since been identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office as 44-year-old Desmond Thomas.
While providing medical aid to Thomas, additional officers responding to the scene were notified about a second stabbing victim who was unconscious and unresponsive in the 11300 block of East Colfax Avenue. Officers responded to the area, located the man and performed lifesaving actions until the man was rushed to a local hospital. The second man, later identified as 58-year-old Otto Washington, also died at the hospital from his injuries.
Two persons of interest were detained Tuesday night. Both were interviewed by homicide detectives. One person has since been released. The second was arrested on outstanding warrants unrelated to the fatal stabbing.
The investigation is active and ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP23-207177