Denver Gang Member Charged With Gun Crime After Tuesday’s LoDo Shooting Where Four Were Hurt And One Dead

DENVER – Dashae Eugene Armstrong, age 23, of Denver, appeared in U.S. District Court this morning to be advised of firearm charges pending against him and his rights following a deadly shooting between rival gangs on November 19, 2018, in downtown Denver, U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn, ATF Denver Special Agent in Charge Debbie Livingston and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips announced.  Armstrong was remanded into custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for November 27, 2018.

Armstrong faces one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  If convicted of that charge he would face not more than 10 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.  According to the facts contained in the affidavit, on November 19, 2018, at approximately 4:04 p.m., Denver Police officers responded to 1200 21^st St, Denver, in response to a shooting.  Multiple people called 911 saying that several people had been shot.  When Denver Police arrived on scene they discovered five victims suffering from gunshot wounds, including one who was deceased. 

Witnesses on scene stated two men were shooting at each other.  They then provided descriptions of the shooters.  One of the shooters was described as being a heavy set black male, wearing a grey sweatshirt and black pants.  A short time later Denver Fire Department first responders were with a male in front of the Marquis Theater who matched that description.  The male, identified as Dashae Eugene Armstrong, had a gunshot wound to his leg. 

Armstrong was transported to the hospital where he was treated and detained.  During the investigation detectives at the shooting scene observed two distinct groups of spent shell casings.  One group was 9mm, which matches the gun Armstrong was alleged to be shooting.  He is a Tre Deuce Crip gang member.  The other shooter was reportedly a Tre Tre Crip gang member. 

Armstrong has a criminal record going back to 2007.  His first conviction was a felony in Denver District Court on November 11, 2013, for Distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance.  His next felony was also in Denver District Court on May 20, 2014, also for Distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance. 

“Today my office filed charges as a part of the law enforcement and prosecutorial response to this violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn.  “We work together with our state and local partners and will step in when state prosecution is not feasible or possible.”

This investigation was conducted by the Denver Police Department, with assistance from the Denver of the ATF and the Safe Streets Task Force led by the Denver Division of the FBI.  The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Celeste Rangel. 

These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.