The Denver Police Department held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, and provided an update into the crime spree which resulted in the murder of Shmuel (Shmuli) Silverberg Z”L.
As YWN reported, Shmuli was gunned down while walking in front of Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Denver. His Levaya was held in Denver on Wednesday morning, and is being flown for a 10:30PM Levaya and Kevura in Lakewood, NJ tonight.
Based on preliminary information available at this moment, Police say it does not appear to be a bias motivated crime. However, police were clear to say that they were not ruling that out, and if evidence comes in that shows it was bias, then those charges would most definitely be added.
At the press conference, investigators say it started with a call for a carjacking at 10:50 p.m. near Colfax Avenue and Grape Street. They say one of the suspects entered a Honda CRV with the driver inside and pointed a gun at them. The victim was not hurt.
At around 11:10 p.m., the suspects reportedly robbed a man walking near Colfax Avenue and Lafayette Street. Police say they were wearing masks and shot the man who is in the hospital.
Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen says that victim is “battling for his life.”
About 20 minutes later, investigators say the suspects approached Shmuli Silverberg who was walking out of the Yeshiva and fired at least one weapon at him. The victim was hit and taken to the hospital where he died.
Later, the same suspects reportedly burglarized a business in Lakewood, Colorado (7 and 1/2 miles from Denver) and stole a Toyota RAV4.
Police said they are asking for the public’s help trying to locate the following vehicles as part of the investigation:
– 2018 maroon Honda CRV, Colorado License Plate CGOW44
– 2020 dark blue Toyota Camry, Colorado License Plate AGNZ29
– Black 1998 Toyota RAV4, Colorado License Plate QFO701
The suspects are considered armed and dangerous. If you see the vehicles, call 911. You can also remain anonymous by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim released the following statement:
“Our Yeshiva Toras Chaim community is grief stricken at the killing of one of our students overnight. We are caring for our faculty, staff, students, and their families in the face of this tragic and incomprehensible act of violence. We are grateful for the support we are receiving from our Denver community and from around the country, and for the work of local law enforcement authorities who have made this their top priority. Our community is seeking solace and privacy at this time.”
The Levaya for HaBachur Shmuli Silverberg Z”L will be tonight at 10:30 in Lakewood – 613 Ramsey Lakewood, New Jersey.
Zoom info:
When: Aug 19, 2021 10:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Levaya of Shmuel Silverberg
Please click here to join the webinar:
Passcode: 706464
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13126266799,,89599042229#
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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14 Responses
For clarification:
They carjacked a car, burglarised several venues, and attacked people in the course of those crimes which were committed for gain. But the murder of an unarmed 19 year old in front of a Yeshiva building on a steeet devoid of any businesses or residential homes is also a byproduct of a non-bias crime?
They chose a Yeshiva as a surrogate for robbing a shop? Why did they choose the yeshiva?
What would constitute evidence of a possible bias crime?
I am having difficulty understanding.
Wealthy members of the Jewish community need to step up and offer a large monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of the murderers. That will get people to talk.
Later, the same suspects reportedly burglarized a business in Lakewood and stole a Toyota RAV4…
i assume it meant lakewood colorado and not Lakewood nj
Is there a different Lakewood near Denver, that they could conceivably have driven to and continued their crime spree? Otherwise I don’t see how they could be related.
The other crimes all involved robbery. But the murderers did not attempt to rob Shmueli. Clearly their motive for killing him could only have been antisemitism.
The killers midset might have been something like this: we are on a robbery spree and have already stolen enough money and a car to make our getaway. So why not kill a Jew just for fun, as “entertainment” and ‘diversion” after the serious business of robbery? Would make sense for career criminals who are also antisemites.
The possibility also should be considered that the persons who murdered Shmueli were not the robbers. Sometimes crimes occur in the same general area and around the same time that are not related.
In either case, the murderers were clearly motivated by antisemitism. It could only have been a bias crime.
Yes, there is a suburb of Denver called Lakewood, about 5 minutes away from the yeshiva.
> yitzyk
An web search shows Wikipedia article :
> Lakewood, immediately west of Denver, is one of the principal cities of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area
Maskildoresh, you are having a hard time understanding because the facts are not there.. this was a BIAS crime. I saw a post from one of the parents of the yeshiva.. they TARGETED JEWS! Here is this.. if if ever makes it to the comments.. will see..
this was in one of my whatsap groups..
From a parent whose child is in Toras Chaim, Denver Yeshiva. Where a 19 year old student, Shmuel Silverberg HY”D, was murdered in cold blood. His crime? Being Jewish.
“It’s been a very rough, emotional day.
I woke up to the horrifying news that there had been a shooting last night at around 11:15pm at my son Yehuda’s yeshiva (school) in Denver.
At least 2 shooters drove up and attacked the school. They started by shooting the front windows of the building, then they chased a 19 year old student who had been right outside the building, pinned him against a wall and shot him in the chest as he begged for his life.
They fired at least 4 shots at the principal’s head, but missed.
Students performed CPR on the unconscious student who had been shot, but were unable to save him. There are no words.
It’s truly a sad day when people whose highest values are peace, performing acts of lovingkindness, self improvement, study and prayer are targeted by such hate.
May we all know of no more sorrow, and may
G-D wipe away the tears from every cheek and give the student’s family, the Yeshiva, and the entire community solace and comfort.”
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“Shmueli, Shmueli, where are you?” cried out a Rabbi at his funeral which was live-streamed this evening. I walked to Daven this morning and you are supposed to be there!”
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Yeshiva Toras Chaim released this statement, “Our Yeshiva Toras Chaim community is grief stricken at the killing of one of our students overnight. We are caring for our faculty, staff, students, and their families in the face of this tragic and incomprehensible act of violence. We are grateful for the support we are receiving from our Denver community and from around the country, and for the work of local law enforcement authorities who have made this their top priority. Our community is seeking solace and privacy at this time.”
Police say they are working with multiple witnesses and are looking at surveillance video.
Anyone who spots the vehicles or has more information about the suspects is asked to call Denver police. Tips can also be submitted to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.
The Police told the Jewish community last night that the murderer followed the bochur to the door of the Yeshiva and then shot at the bochur, the door, etc. The Police also said that they think they will be able to announce arrests fairly shortly.
First arrrest: https://kdvr.com/news/local/heavy-police-activity-around-67th-and-federal-deputies-say-to-avoid-area/
Yes, Lakewood, Colorado is a nearby suburb in Denver
“No bias crime.” Typical police response when the perpetrators were black.
“Later, the same suspects reportedly burglarized a business in Lakewood, Colorado (7 and 1/2 miles from Denver) and stole a Toyota RAV4.”
I guess some people cant read English…..
(13) Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) / Twitter reports just now that four suspects arrested.