Wheat Ridge, Colorado – An investigation continues into the shooting death of a suburban Denver jeweller remembered for his kindness and compassion.
According to information shared on social media by the Wheat Ridge (Colorado) Police Department, officers were dispatched to a medical call around 11:15 a.m. on 29 November.
A separate 911 call made about four minutes later reported shots fired in the same area.
When officers arrived at the scene, Peter Damian Fine Jewellery & Antiques at 7220 W. 38th Ave., they found the store’s owner, Peter Damian Arguello, dead.
On Monday, police department spokesman Alex Rose said the case was being investigated as a possible robbery and homicide.
He declined to provide further details about the investigation, but confirmed that police found the red Chevy Silverado pickup truck believed to be connected to the robbery early Friday morning.
According to a report by CBS News Colorado, the truck was found on fire in front of a tyre shop.
Rose said the vehicle was undergoing a “meticulous” forensic examination.
On Saturday night, as the town of Wheat Ridge held its holiday celebration and tree lighting, members of the community gathered outside Arguello’s store – where many have left flowers, candles and cards – to remember the beloved business owner.
One woman who works at a salon a few doors down from the store told CBS News Colorado that the local jeweller always had a smile on his face.
“He always took care of everybody … everybody was welcome. He would have done literally anything for anybody in need, ever,” she said.
Until last week, no jewellers or travelling jewellery salespeople had been killed on the job in 2023, the Jewellers’ Security Alliance confirmed.
Arguello is believed to be the industry’s first murder victim of the year.
