Man Arrested in Series of Deadly 16th Street Mall Stabbings Identified

DENVER – The man arrested in connection with four random stabbings on 16th St. Mall this weekend, two of which were fatal, have been identified.

Elijah Caudill, 24, appeared in Denver County Court Monday morning following his arrest Sunday night following another fatal stabbing at the mall.

The 24-year-old suspect is accused of stabbing two people to death and stabbing two others at the 16th Street Mall on Saturday and Sunday nights in what appears to be a series of random attacks, Denver police said.

Three people — two men and a woman — were stabbed Saturday within eight blocks of each other along the mall. One of those victims, a woman, died as a result of her injuries.

A fourth person — a man — was stabbed Sunday night near Market Street, not far from Union Station. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.

Caudill was arrested shortly after Sunday’s attack.

The first stabbing Saturday happened near Tremont Street around 5:12 p.m

The male victim in the first incident transported himself to the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and has since been released, according to police. During a press conference Sunday night, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said the first victim was “cut in the face.”

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Moments later, around 5:17 p.m., police said the suspect attacked another victim and stabbed a Hispanic woman near California Street on the Mall. Police have not released her identity.

She was taken to the hospital where several medical procedures were performed, but she eventually died early Sunday morning. Thomas said the first 911 call came in at 5:20 p.m., and officers were on the scene three minutes later.

While police have not confirmed her identity, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants reports that Phoenix-based flight attendant Celinda Levno died while on a layover in Denver in a “senseless tragedy” over the weekend.

According to police, the suspect stabbed a third victim at 16th and Lawrence Street around 10 p.m. 17.54. The male victim in the third incident was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive his serious arm and torso injuries.

Denver 7

Denver police reported Sunday’s incident at the mall near Market Street on social media around 10 p.m

Police said in a news release that there does not appear to be any connection between the suspect and the victims and the motive is unclear.

Thomas said his department has stepped up patrols along the mall as a result of the weekend stabbing. He insists DPD has always had a strong presence downtown, citing a dedicated motorcycle squad that patrols the mall area along with other assets on bikes and on foot.

“We understand there’s a challenge right now in the 16th Street Mall with construction and things like that, but we’re doing the best we can again with bike and foot resources,” Thomas said.

Still, Steve Crain, who has lived along the 16th Street Mall for the past eight years, believes there should be a more visible police presence at all times.

“The disappointing part, though, is that more people had to be stabbed before there’s any recognition of danger down here,” Crain said. “Change how they (the police) do what they do so that people down here are not only safer. , but the people they want to attract down here feel safe enough to come down.”

Denver police plan to release more information about the attacks during a press conference at 17.00. Denver7 plans to cover the event live on air and online.

Suspect Arrested in Four 16th Street Mall Stabbings Identified