This story has been updated from a previous version.
Nine people were wounded in a mass shooting in downtown Denver early Tuesday as Nuggets fans celebrated the franchise’s first NBA Finals championship.
The Denver Police Department said the suspected shooter is in custody and also has a “suspected gunshot injury.”
According to a tweet from the department, the shooting occurred at roughly 2:11 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Police reported multiple shots fired were at the intersection of Market and 20th streets, roughly one mile away from Ball Arena, where the Nuggets beat the Heat in Game 5 to clinch the Finals.
Police said three of the victims who suffered gunshot wounds are listed in critical condition, while the remaining six have non “non-life threatening injuries.”
Per the Denver Post, other shootings were reported at Tremont and Blake streets as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the victory. No injuries were reported from those shootings.
Denver police said information indicates the shooting occurred as part of an altercation.
Alert: #DPD is investigating a shooting in the 2000 block of Market St. Preliminary information indicates there are four victims who are being transported to the hospital. Officers took a possible suspect into custody who also has a suspected gunshot injury. Investigation ongoing pic.twitter.com/AK2OrJngBr
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) June 13, 2023
“This is a complex, ongoing investigation in its early stages,” Denver police said in a tweet. “Preliminary info indicates multiple shots were fired during an altercation involving several individuals.”
Update: According to a news conference by the Denver Police Department, it is the “strong belief” of investigators the shooting was unrelated to the NBA Finals celebration. It instead was described as a drug deal gone wrong, as evidenced by several baggies of fentanyl found near the site of the shooting.
Police described an altercation that broke out in regard to the drug deal, with the shooting occurring toward the end of the altercation. They claimed “five or six” of the shooting victims were innocent bystanders, with the remainder of those hospitalized having some connection with the drug deal, including the primary suspect.
Denver police apprehended said suspect after he fled from the site of the shooting on foot; he was transported to Denver Health with a gunshot wound. At least one more suspect who was not directly involved with the shooting was arrested in a nearby vehicle. Police said at least 20 rounds were discharged from multiple handguns in relation to the shooting.
Of the 10 people who sustained gunshot wounds, four needed immediate emergency surgical intervention. Only five remain in the hospital and were describe as being in “fair condition.”
The Nuggets’ championship parade will continue as planned on Thursday in downtown Denver.
This story will be updated.