A 25-year-old man was flown to a hospital in critical condition early Wednesday after being shot at a motel in west Durango, according to the Durango Police Department.
The shooting was reported at 3:08 a.m. at the Wapiti Lodge, 21625 U.S. Highway 160.
Shortly after, police arrested Jonnie Cash Kimbrough, 20, of Bayfield on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder. Kimbrough was being held at the La Plata County Jail as of Wednesday evening.
According to an arrest affidavit, the shooting victim entered a room uninvited where Kimbrough and his on-and-off girlfriend were staying.
An argument ensued, and the man who walked in uninvited refused to leave. Kimbrough grabbed a gun belonging to the woman and shot the other man in the head.
The altercation was initially characterized as a domestic violence situation, but that was based on a past relationship Kimbrough had with the woman who was in the room.
The man who was shot, who has not yet been identified, was flown to a Denver-area hospital in “very critical” condition, said Durango police Chief Bob Brammer.
It was the second shooting this week in Durango.
In the earlier incident, four people were shot at Santa Rita Park, including a 47-year-old man who was killed and three teenagers who suffered various injuries.
Police said there is no connection between the two shootings.
“We are confident this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community,” said Durango police Cmdr. Deck Shaline. “We will stay close to the facts and release as much information as possible, as this remains an active investigation.”
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Hospital, Durango-La Plata Communication Center and the Durango Fire Protection District assisted Durango police with the most recent shooting.
“Durango police offers its deepest condolences to the family of the victim,” a news release said.
Anyone with information on either of the two shootings is asked to contact DPD’s detective unit at 375-4730.
shane@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story erred in saying Jonnie Cash Kimbrough entered the motel room uninvited. It was the shooting victim who entered uninvited and refused to leave.
