WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Westminster Police (WPD) took two suspects in a fatal New Year's Day stabbing of a man at a convenience store into custody – after a confrontation between the men over $40.
A third person of interest, a woman who police said was the getaway driver at the scene, has a pending arrest warrant and her identity is not being released at this time.
The stabbing victim's family called WPD on Jan. 3 to say they saw the suspects walking in the area of 72nd Avenue and Raleigh Street. Police were able to find Deven Mykol Lamaster, 27, and take him into custody. He is now being held at the Adams County Detention Facility.
WPD said investigative leads led them to the second suspect, Brett Philip Kalina, 27, who had fled the state to Decatur, Illinois. Investigators worked with Illinois authorities to take Kalina into custody and recover the car used in the homicide.
Kalina is being held at an Illinois detention center and waiting on an extradition hearing.
Both men are being charged through the Adams County District Attorney's Office on the following charges:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree murder
- Aggravated robbery
WPD officers originally responded to stabbing at the Circle K located at 7584 Sheridan Blvd. at 6:20 p.m. on Jan. 1 where they found family members of the victim on scene.
Police said the man, only identified as in his 20s, died after he was confronted by two people outside the store and then stabbed.
Sgt. Trevor Materasso, with WPD, originally said family told police the stabbing may be gang related, but investigators are still working on that detail.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or by visiting metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers works by assigning a code to people who anonymously submit a tip. Information is shared with law enforcement, and Crime Stoppers are notified at the conclusion of the investigation.
From there, an awards committee reviews the information provided and, if the information leads to an arrest, the tipster will be notified. Rewards can be collected using the code numbers received when the tip was originally submitted.
> More information about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers can be found here.
> Additional Crime Stoppers bulletins can be found here.
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