Accused Baseball Bat Bludgeoner Charged With Murder

DENVER, CO —A Denver man was charged Monday with two counts of first-degree murder after a mid-day baseball bat attack at a Denver strip club that injured four people, one fatally.

The Denver District Attorney's office has also charged Ryan Ashland, 41, with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and burglary as well as other counts.

On Sunday, Apr. 28, 2019, Denver police were summoned to P.T.'s Show Club, at 1601 W. Evans Ave., around 12:55 p.m. a statement from Denver police said. Officers found Ashland holding a baseball bat standing over a person who "was seriously injured and in need of medical attention."

Four people were taken to Denver Health Medical Center with serious blunt-force injuries to their heads and bodies. Wendell James Janis, Jr. 56, died at the hospital, the DA's office said. Janis was buried in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, his obituary said.

Another victim remains hospitalized. A third victim suffered serious bodily injury and was released, and a fourth victim suffered minor injuries and was not hospitalized as of this week.

Officers used a Taser to take Ashland into custody, after he reportedly refused to drop the bat or move away from the victim, an arrest affidavit said.

Witnesses told police that Ashland was "making excited utterances," in the moments before the attack, police said in the affidavit. A woman who survived the attack told police she fled out the door of the business and into the parking lot.

Police have not said whether or not Ashland knew any of the victims.

Ashland is being held in the Denver County jail on no bond, according to the online jail inmate roster. His next scheduled court appearance is Thursday, April 16.

Related: Man Bludgeons 4 With Baseball Bat In Denver Strip Club: Police