Remembering the Victims of December’s Mass Shooting

Six people were killed and two injured during a series of shootings that took place on December 27 in Denver and Lakewood. Tattoo artists, a hotel clerk, and others were among the victims who lost their lives.

“This is the holiday season. To have this type of spree take place is not normal for our community,” Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen says. “We cannot lose sight of the victims in this, the people that are still fighting for their lives, including a Lakewood agent.”

Alicia Cardenas, 44, owner and artist at Sol Tribe Tattoo, was one of the victims. Alyssa Gunn-Maldonado, who worked at Sol Tribe, was shot and killed. Her husband, who also worked at Sol Tribe was shot, remains in ICU, and is expected to recover. 

Cardenas is survived by her father, husband, and 12-year-old child. 

“It’s tremendous. It’s difficult to really express how many people’s lives she touched. She was a very outgoing person; she accepted everybody, especially those on the fringes,” her father, Alfredo Cardenas, tells Denver 7. “A real advocate for the homeless, for the LGBTQ community—Everybody you know was connected with her some way or another.”

“She was an amazing mother, tattoo artist, and an accredited body piercer,” Samantha Lindstrom tells Denver 7. “Alicia never minced words and was never afraid to tell you what she thought or felt, but she always came from a place of love. We go back a very long time, and she was family. Alicia was a beautiful woman inside and out: a loving wife, stepmother, and yogi. Such a warm, caring being.”

In addition to Sol Tribe, Lucky 13 Tattoo and Piercing employee Danny Scofield, “Dano Blair,” was also shot and killed. 

“I can tell you he was as close to me as a brother, not only a good friend,” one of Scofield’s friends tells 9NEWS. “He was a gentle giant loved by all—no enemies. He was clean and sober—no drugs or alcohol. He’s a loving father, a beloved son, and brother.

“This random act of violence has got us all broken-hearted,” Scofield’s friend adds. “He worked for Lucky 13 for about two years before moving to Seattle, but came back to Denver and worked at another studio for a while. He has been back at Lucky 13 for two-and-a-half, almost three years now. We are all devastated.”

Sarah Steck, 28, was working as a hotel clerk at a Hyatt House in Belmar when she was shot multiple times, according to police reports. The hotel said they are temporarily suspending operations out of respect for Steck and to provide time for the hotel team to mourn.

Lakewood Police officer Ashley Ferris was shot before taking down the gunman and is still recovering. 

Police suspect that the gunman targeted individuals connected to his tattoo business. Micheal Swinyard, 67, was fatally shot in his home.