Denver police arrest suspect in fatal shooting near W. Arizona Avenue

Denver police arrested Fernando Sebastian Chavez in connection with the fatal shooting of 34-year-old James Ruiz near the 3800 block of W. Arizona Avenue, police announced July 21.

Police said Chavez, 24, was arrested the night of July 20 for investigation of first-degree murder. An investigative arrest is not the same as a filed criminal charge; the Denver District Attorney’s Office will decide whether to file charges, police said. No publicly accessible court filing or jail record confirming charges, custody status or bond information was identified in the records reviewed for this story.

Police said Ruiz was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives said Ruiz was allegedly trying to break up a fight involving his girlfriend and another woman when Chavez allegedly shot him. Police did not describe Chavez’s relationship to Ruiz or say whether additional suspects are being sought.

In a July 14 alert, police said an adult male victim was pronounced dead at the scene and asked people with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The arrest announcement did not include a new witness request.

The allegations have not been tested in court. Chavez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.