🌱 Local Man Shoots Self After Traffic Stop + Lakewood Rent Skyrockets

Hello, Lakewood! I'm Sean Peek and I'm filling in for your usual curator Brad for the next couple of weeks. Please note that your newsletters may be a bit lighter during this time. Now, here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Sun and areas of high clouds. High: 79 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories in Lakewood today:

1. According to Lakewood Police, a young man shot himself in a vehicle during a traffic stop on Sixth Avenue near Wadsworth Boulevard on Sunday afternoon. Officers were pursuing Jesse James Brown, 18, for a road rage incident in what was reportedly a stolen vehicle. When Brown finally stopped on eastbound Sixth, he refused to comply with police requests to exit the vehicle. Reports indicate that after Lakewood officers shot pepper balls into the vehicle, they heard a gunshot and found Brown inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He later died in a local hospital from the shot. (FOX 31 Denver)
2. The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area has been ranked No. 23 of the 25 U.S. metros where rent is currently skyrocketing by Realtor.com. As of April 2022, the median rent in the area is $1,970 — a 15.3 percent year-over-year increase. The median household income for the area's population of 2,928,437 is $83,289 per year, which still falls below the "one-third" rule for rent to income ratio. (24/7 Wall St.)
3. Looking for a new job in the Lakewood area? Plenty of local employers are currently hiring for full- and part-time positions in fields like social services, customer service, sales, and more. Get the details and learn how to apply in Patch's latest employment roundup. (Lakewood Patch)

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Today in Lakewood:

• Baby Time At Lakewood Library (9:15 AM)
• Outdoor Family Time At Walker-Branch Park, Hosted By Edgewater Library (10:15 AM)
• Book Group: "The Night She Disappeared" By Lisa Jewell At Lakewood Library (12:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• With the 4th of July coming up, Lakewood residents should keep in mind that all types of fireworks, including items like sparklers, Roman candles, and smoke bombs, are prohibited by Lakewood city ordinance (except for professional displays). Fines for illegal fireworks can reach $2,650. (9News.com KUSA)
• On Friday, a couple hiking near Bear Creek Lake Park narrowly escaped after a would-be kidnapper held them at gunpoint, thanks to a fellow hiker who witnessed the incident and called 911. (Yahoo!)

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Events:

• No Reserve Auction - Precision Machine Shop (June 21)
• Not Made for TV: A Sketch and Stand Up Comedy Show (June 24)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.