A Night of Celebration Turns Deadly

In the early hours of April 1, 2012, 26-year-old Jimma Reat, a Sudanese immigrant, was returning home after a night out with his brother, cousin, and a friend. As they drove near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard in Denver, Colorado, their vehicle was suddenly attacked. A group of men in a red Jeep Cherokee hurled beer bottles at Reat's car, shattering the rear window and showering the occupants with glass. The assailants also shouted racial slurs, intensifying the fear and confusion of the moment. In an attempt to escape the danger, Reat and his companions fled to a parking lot in Wheat Ridge, just outside Denver's city limits.

A Fatal 911 Call

Seeking assistance, the group dialed 911 and connected with dispatcher Juan Jesus Rodriguez. Despite being informed that the group had reached a place of relative safety and that the driver was injured, Rodriguez instructed them to return to Denver to file a police report. Reluctantly, they complied and drove back to the vicinity of West 29th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, as directed. While they waited for police to arrive, the red Jeep reappeared. The assailants opened fire, and Jimma Reat was fatally shot in the back. He was pronounced dead shortly after 5 a.m....Read More