Denver DA Charges Michael Close with Murder in Ballpark Shooting Incident

DENVER—Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced that murder and other charges were filed against 36-year old Michael R. Close. The victim and his girlfriend were walking their dog on June 10, 2020 in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood when Close began a verbal exchange with them over a command they used to have their dog defecate. Both victims had disengaged from Close and were tending to their dog when it is alleged that Close began shooting. Numerous reports of shots being fired were received by Denver’s Combined Communications Center.

Ms. Isabella Thallas (age 21) was pronounced dead on scene. The medical examiner’s autopsy report concluded that she died from a gunshot wound and that the manner of death is homicide. Close is specifically charged with two counts of murder in the first degree (F1), two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree (F2), two counts of assault in the first degree (F3), six counts of using a prohibited large-capacity magazine during the commission of a crime (F6), three counts of possessing a prohibited large-capacity magazine (M2), one count of disorderly conduct (M2), and four counts of the sentence enhancing charge of crime of violence.

This is Denver District Court case number 20CR03585.

-30-