A Douglas County jury found a man guilty of murder and attempted murder Monday after he shot two people in a fist fight outside of a Castle Rock apartment complex in 2022.
Miguel Angel Mercado, 23, was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the fatal shooting, according to a news release from the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The shooting started as a fistfight outside of the Pines at Castle Rock Apartments just after 1 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2022, according to the DA’s office.
The victim, 23-year-old Daniel Vilchis Mercado, had accused Miguel Angel Mercado’s roommate of “being involved” with his girlfriend, the DA’s office said in the release. The fight broke out when the parties gathered in the apartment complex’s parking lot.
During the fight, Miguel Angel Mercado pulled out a gun and opened fire, killing Daniel Vilchis Mercado and injuring another man, according to the release. The shooter and the victim are not related.
Castle Rock police said Miguel Angel Mercado fled the scene. Officers found him in a vehicle in downtown Castle Rock at about 10 a.m. the same day and arrested him.
Miguel Angel Mercado is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18.
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