LITTLETON, Colo. — A man was sentenced to six years in prison Friday for fatally shooting another man over drug money nearly two years ago.
Adam Vilders was found guilty in February of reckless manslaughter. Vilders will get credit for the 651 days he's already served since the 2022 shooting.
Luke Clayton, 28, was killed in the shooting early in the morning of July 15, 2022 in the 2700 block of West Riverwalk Circle.
Later that month, Vilders and Darla Rodriguez were arrested in the case.
In April 2023, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to an accessory charge. As a result, seven other counts, including second-degree murder and assault, were dismissed. She was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison.
Investigators learned Clayton was in his apartment with three friends when he received a call and said he would be right out, according to an arrest affidavit from LPD.
When Clayton returned, he had blood coming from his mouth and told his friends he was jumped by two women who tased and punched him, and said he punched one of them, the affidavit said. A preliminary autopsy showed Clayton had an injury consistent with a stun gun-type device.
Clayton and his friends heard a loud boom outside, which they thought was someone "messing" with Clayton's truck, according to the affidavit. Investigators later discovered that his tire had been slashed.
Clayton ran to the front door and a man later identified as Vilders tried to punch him as he opened it, the affidavit said. They fought in front of the home until Clayton ended up on top of the man on the ground.
One of Clayton's friends noticed a gun on the ground, which Vilders and Clayton fought over, and Vilders eventually came away with it and shot Clayton twice in the back, according to the affidavit.
After shooting Clayton, Vilders pointed the gun at him again and said, "That's what he gets for hitting a woman," the affidavit said.
Vilders then pointed the gun at one of Clayton's friends, who ran away, and Vilders and two women with him left the area in a white Cadillac, according to the affidavit.
Investigators discovered that Rodriguez was on parole, and she lived with Vilders, who was her sponsor, the affidavit said. It also said Rodriguez told investigators she had been in a fight with Clayton because he owed her money for drugs.
A third codefendant, Felica Cruz, pleaded guilty in January 2023 and was also sentenced to eight years in prison.
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