Crime Gun Intelligence Center Uses NIBIN Technology To Arrest Violent Shooter

DENVER —District Attorney (DA) Mitchell R. Morrissey of the city and county of Denver, Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Field Division, and Chief of the Denver Police Department (DPD) Robert White announce the arrest of Anthony Dennis of Denver, Colo., for attempted murder and burglary stemming from three shooting incidents that occurred on Jan. 27, and Jan. 29, 2015.

An arrest affidavit filed by an ATF Task Force Officer alleges that Dennis committed the following crimes:

Jan. 27, 2015

C.R.S. 18-3-102: Criminal Attempted Murder, (F2)

C.R.S. 18-4-202: Criminal Attempted First Degree Burglary, (F3)

During this incident, it is alleged that Dennis attempted a residential burglary in the 3300 block of Milwaukee Street and fired multiple shots at a homeowner after being confronted. Shell casings from this scene were recovered and entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).

Jan. 27, 2015

C.R.S. 18-4-202: First Degree Burglary, (F2)

C.R.S. 18-9-202: Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, (F6)

During this incident, it is alleged that Dennis committed a residential burglary in the 3600 block of Monroe Street, shot and injured the homeowner’s Bernese mountain dog, and stole multiple items of personal property. Shell casings from the scene were recovered and entered into the NIBIN system.

January 29, 2015

C.R.S. 18-4-102: Criminal Attempt Murder, (F2)

C.R.S. 18-4-202: Criminal Attempt Assault in the First Degree, (F4)

C.R.S. 18-4-206: Felony Menacing, (F5)

Dennis was charged Feb. 11, 2015, in a separate filing for the above referenced charges. It is alleged that Dennis had a dispute with a male individual in the 3300 block of North Josephine Street, and fired multiple rounds at the victim. Shell casings were recovered and entered into the NIBIN system.

The shell casings recovered at the 3300 Block of North Josephine Street matched the shell casings recovered during the Jan. 27 shooting incidents. The case was assigned to the Crime Gun Intelligence Center for a follow-up investigation. Using the matches generated through NIBIN, and other investigative techniques including Shot Spotter technology, ATF and Denver Police determined the same firearm was used in all three shooting incidents and identified Dennis as the suspect in these crimes.

“The collaborative effort between ATF, DPD, and the DPD Crime Lab allowed us to determine the shooter’s identity within days.  Dennis is a dangerous, habitual shooter with no regard for life or safety.  The Crime Gun Intelligence Center leveraged NIBIN technology quickly, which allowed our investigators to explore leads before they went cold,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Luke Franey.

“Thanks to Denver Police’s partnership with the ATF, Dennis was quickly apprehended for his violent crimes. Through the NIBIN technology, we are able to attribute three shootings to Dennis,” said Denver Police Chief Robert White. “Knowing that Dennis’ criminal behavior could have escalated, we are thankful that together, we were able to take a violent criminal off the streets, thus making our community safer.”

“This is a great collaboration between metro police departments, the Denver Crime Lab, the ATF and our office to help take crime guns off the streets and hold violent criminals using these guns accountable for their crimes,” said Denver DA Mitch Morrissey.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Center is a partnership between ATF, Denver Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, the District Attorney’s Offices for Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson counties, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  The Crime Gun Intelligence Center uses cutting edge technology and a dedicated investigative team to stop shooters and identify their source of crime guns before they can commit further criminal acts. 

A filing of charges itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged.  The defendant is presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.