DENVER — Joshua Batts, who was killed in a mass shooting in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver early Sunday morning, was a husband, veteran and father of five. His father-in-law remembers him as someone who lived life to the fullest.
"Josh was my son-in-law,” Zachary said. "I always told him he's the son that I never had. I wish I had spent more time with him. One thing that we had in common was that we both loved motorcycles."
Zachary said they both served in the military. Batts was an Army veteran with 13 years of service.
"When he left the military, Joshua was looking for what we call ‘brotherhood,'” Zachary said. “So Joshua wound up joining a club looking for brotherhood."
Batts was shot to death Sunday morning outside Hell's Lovers Motorcycle Club. We still know very little about what happened leading up to the shooting. Denver police have made no arrests.
“Nobody is saying anything,” Zachary said. “I don't know If he was a target. Does she need to know something if something is going on or if she's in danger?”
Zachary is speaking on his daughter's behalf. The family is worried for their safety, which is why 9NEWS agreed not to share Zachary's last name or show him on camera.
"I am not going to put myself, my wife, my grandkids, or my daughters in harm’s way,” he said. “I don't know what went down. That's the reason why I haven't shown my face."
You don't need to see Zachary’s face to know his pain or understand the love he had for his son-in-law.
"He had a personality out of this world,” Zachary said. “His smile, man, it was just infectious. Man, he just loved to have fun. He lived life to the fullest. He took pride in his motorcycle.”
Park Hill shooting victim was a dad, husband, and Army veteran
Zachary said Batts also took pride in his family.
"My grandson told me when I went to see him, 'Who's going to teach me how to be a man?' That just broke me down right there. I think – I think it hit all of us," Zachary said.
Batts' family is in Texas. He moved to Denver for a job opportunity, working as a driver for Republic Services.
“When it came to providing for his family, Josh did a wonderful job,” Zachary said. “My hat goes off to him because it takes a special person to sacrifice being at home with your family. He left to make a better life for his family and now he’s not here for them.”
Zachary said they’re now waiting for Batts’ body to be brought home so the family can say their goodbyes. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses.
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