Victor Salazar-Guarache appears inset in a December 2023 booking photo against an image of the Topgolf where he worked in Thornton, Colo. (Thornton Police Department; Google Maps)
A Colorado man behind bars for allegedly shooting and killing one of his co-workers at a Topgolf late last year is said to have laughed about the fatal violence as he made his getaway, authorities say.
Victor Salazar-Guarache, 26, stands accused of one count of murder in the first degree, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and a sentence enhancer for a crime of violence, according to a press release issued by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
No motive, however, has been floated in the case.
On Dec. 22, Salazar-Guarache left work early, according to an arrest affidavit in the case obtained by Denver-based ABC affiliate KMGH. The defendant worked as a dishwasher at the Topgolf in Thornton, a large city 10 miles north of Denver and part of the broader metropolitan area. No one knew why he left early that night.
Police say the defendant was gone for an hour or so, having left before the end of his shift at 11:42 p.m. that night. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Salazar-Guarache leaving in his car.
Just before 12:50 a.m. the next day, Salazar-Guarache returned, according to the Thornton Police Department. At roughly the same time, other employees were leaving their shifts. Among those exiting the popular driving range on Grant Street were Bryce Holden, 22, who also worked as a dishwasher, and a kitchen manager.
Police say Salazar-Guarache was already back and parked by the time the two were walking out. Then, the defendant allegedly got out of his car, assumed a “shooting stance” and began firing at the pair, according to an affidavit obtained by the Denver Gazette. Holden was shot multiple times and fell to the ground, police say, while the kitchen manager was able to avoid being shot at all by running back inside.
“He was always making jokes,” the victim’s father told Denver-based NBC affiliate KUSA. “He would have a smirk on his face when he was sitting there razzing ya. That’s just how he was.”
“He was my baby,” Rod Holden said of his fallen son.
Bryce Holden was teaching himself Spanish and planned to move to Barcelona within the next two years, his father noted.
“Bryce had deeply rooted values,” Rod Holden told KUSA. “He was always trying to improve himself. He always tried to see the best in everybody, but if he thought you could do better, he would call you out on it. There’s a face behind the news story. There’s a soul behind the news story, and I want people to know that.”
The defendant allegedly continued to shoot the victim after he was down, police say. Salazar-Guarache allegedly fired a total of 12 shots before getting back inside his car and driving away.
According to the affidavit obtained by KMGH, a Lyft driver happened to be picking up a passenger from the Topgolf just as the shooting occurred. That driver, turned witness, told law enforcement he saw Salazar-Guarache laughing as the alleged killer returned to his vehicle.
Officers responded and transported Holden to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Salazar-Guarache was arrested a few hours later on Interstate 25 – the section of U.S. Route 87 that traverses the Mile High State. Salazar-Guarache was arrested by Weld County Sheriff’s deputies who detained him before turning him over to Thornton police.
Law enforcement say the defendant immediately invoked his right to counsel and refused to speak with them when he was arrested.
Topgolf released a statement about the shooting to the TV station.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by the incident that occurred in our Thornton venue parking lot, and we grieve for those impacted by this senseless act,” the statement reads. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies, whom we appreciate greatly, and we are focused on providing support to our Topgolf team during this difficult time. As this is an ongoing police investigation, we will not be commenting further at this time. We also want to salute all other first responders who assisted with skill and care.”
The defendant made his initial court appearance on Tuesday. He is currently slated to appear again in court for a preliminary hearing on March 29, according to Adams County court records.
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