<\/p>\n
A Towaoc woman was shot and killed Sunday night, Sept. 15, in Cortez, and another man was airlifted for a medical evacuation as a result of the same incident.<\/p>\n
Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane said Natalie Hatch, 21, was killed Sunday as a result of a shooting around 10:15 p.m. at Cedar Terrace Apartments. Quincy Yellow, 18, of Towaoc also was shot at the scene and airlifted to an unknown medical center, Lane said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe case is still under investigation, and we have limited details at this time,\u201d Lane said.<\/p>\n
As of Monday morning, Sept. 16, the crime scene remained roped off for a police investigation, and no arrests had been made. Police were still canvassing the neighborhood for potential witnesses Monday morning, but Lane said residents were in no immediate danger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are several people of interest that we\u2019re talking to,\u201d Lane said.<\/p>\n
Lane said it was too early to speculate on a motive for the shooting, and he declined to comment on the type of weapon used in the incident. Both victims were residents of the apartment complex, he said.<\/p>\n
Jim Andrus a resident of the apartment complex, said he heard four shots, two very loud and two muffled.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounded like a cannon went off,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve lived here 18 years, and this is the first murder. It\u2019s usually pretty quiet around here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Witnesses reported a brawl shortly before the shooting, which took place in a second-floor unit. A man leaving the area picked up \u201csomething long and skinny from the yard\u201d witnesses said. Another person was seen walking north on Cedar Street shortly after the incident.<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s shooting marks the second such incident in four days. Stefen Chihocky, 22, reportedly fell from a moving vehicle near the Ute Mountain Casino after being shot on Wednesday. Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
Released from the hospital, a friend confirmed that Chihocky was shot in the right shoulder. He also suffered a gash on his head and severe road rash on his back.<\/p>\n
Ivan Martin, 25, was arrested Friday and charged with aggravated robbery in connection to the Chihocky incident. His bond was set at $75,000.<\/p>\n
As of press time, it was unknown if authorities had captured a second suspect wanted in connection with the Chihocky shooting.<\/p>\n