Shooting That Injured 10 In Denver Was Related To Drug Deal: Officials

DENVER, CO —At least ten people were shot and injured after a mass shooting in Denver overnight in an area where fans had been celebrating the Denver Nuggets' first NBA title win, according to police and news reports.

Officials said in a Tuesday afternoon news conference that they believe the altercation, which took place around 12:30 a.m., involved several people and was connected to a drug deal. At least 20 shots were fired near the intersection of Market and 20th streets, about a mile north of Ball Arena, officials said.

The suspect, who was one of the people who was shot and injured, is in custody after the shooting in the 2000 block of Market Street, Denver Police said.

Three victims were initially hospitalized in critical condition, according to police. The other victims and the suspect are believed to have injuries that are not life threatening.

All victims are expected to survive, officials said at the Tuesday afternoon news conference.

Police took two men into custody and recovered fentanyl pills and several handguns, the Denver Post reported.

“We are still working to determine the motive. There appears to be a drug nexus,” Denver’s public safety director Armando Saldate said, according to the outlet.

Doug Schepman, a police spokesman, told the AP that the crowd had diminished quite a bit at the time of the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.