DENVER — Two men face multiple counts of attempted murder and other charges in a shooting that wounded a Denver Broncos receiver and two companions.
Receiver Josh Reynolds was at the wheel of his Ford Bronco early the morning of Oct. 18 when people in another vehicle opened fire on them along Interstate 25 near Colorado Boulevard. Reynolds tried to outrun his pursuers, but they followed him for several minutes and continued to shoot, according to court documents.
Reynolds suffered arm and head wounds that the team later described as “minor.”
According to court records, Luis Mendoza, 35, faces 23 separate charges:
- Six counts of attempted first-degree murder;
- Six counts of first-degree assault;
- Three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm;
- Three counts of drug possession;
- Four counts of weapons possession by a previous offender.
- One count of possession of a large capacity magazine.
All but the magazine charge are felonies.
Mendoza remains in the Denver County Jail on a $300,000 cash-only bail.
Burr Charlesworth, 42, faces 15 separate charges:
- Six counts of attempted first-degree murder;
- Six counts of first-degree assault;
- Three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm.
All are felonies.
Charlesworth was released from custody after posting $100,000 bail.
According to court documents, Reynolds and his two companions were at a Glendale strip club, where surveillance footage shows that Mendoza appeared to be keeping an eye on the group.
When Reynolds and his friends left, they were followed by people in several vehicles.
All three called 911 after fleeing from Reynolds’ disabled vehicle in the area of South Quebec Street and East Union Avenue.
One of Reynolds’ companions was shot in the back; the other suffered injuries from flying glass.
Police later located Reynolds’ Bronco on the shoulder of southbound I-25 near Belleview Avenue. It had numerous bullet defects in the back driver-side and front windshield. Two fired cartridge casings were found behind the vehicle along I-25.
Reynolds has been on four-week injured reserve since suffering a fractured finger in the Broncos' 34-18 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 6. He missed the Broncos' past three games against the Chargers, Saints, and Panthers.
He will also miss Sunday’s road game against the Baltimore Ravens.
According to court documents, surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed that Mendoza's vehicle was directly behind the victims'.
Following his arrest, Charlesworth told investigators he was "helping" a friend who had asked him to follow the victims due to a prior conflict. He denied he ever shot at the victims and said the gunfire came from the other vehicles. He refused to describe those vehicles, according to the court documents.
Reynolds, 29, is in his eighth NFL season. He previously played with the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans before becoming a free agent in March and signing a two-year, $9 million contract with the Broncos.
He has 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in five games with the Broncos this season and 232 receptions in his career for 3,116 yards and 20 touchdowns.
