UPDATE: Arrests Made: Aurora Police Major Crime Unit Investigating Homicide on Bethany Drive
(March 14, 2025) – The Aurora Police Department Major Crime Homicide Unit announced Friday two suspects have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this week in west Aurora.
Isaac Delacruz, 19, of Parker, was arrested late Thursday night following a coordinated operation involving several Aurora police units and local partner agencies. Delacruz was arrested and booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, both felonies.
Earlier this week, investigators arrested another suspect connected to the homicide, Kevin Hernandez-Gonzalez, 19, of Franktown. Hernandez-Gonzalez was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated robbery, both felonies.
Formal charges will be filed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The suspects are under investigation for other robberies in the Denver metro area.
The charges stem from about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, when Aurora police patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 10800 block of East Bethany Drive. When officers arrived at the scene, they located a man with an apparent gunshot wound.
Officers performed lifesaving actions on the victim until medical responders arrived at the scene. The victim was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where he later died. The victim has since been identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office as 23-year-old Aurora resident Yousef Jamal Elnaffar.
The investigation to date has determined the victim traveled to a parking lot in the 10800 block of East Bethany Drive after facilitating a transaction through an online marketplace to sell a pair of shoes. Detectives are investigating the homicide as an isolated incident and there are no outstanding suspects.
Involved in Thursday’s capture of Delacruz were members of Aurora police’s fugitive unit, SWAT Team, Intelligence Unit and Electronic Support Section. Among the partner agencies involved in Delacruz’s arrest were the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the Denver Police Department’s Fugitive and Air 1 units, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Parker Police Department.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends and members of our community who have been impacted by this tragic and senseless crime,” said Mark Hildebrand, chief of the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division. “The swift arrests of the suspects should serve as an example that the men and women of the Aurora Police Department will not rest until those who victimize our community are captured and held accountable for their actions.
“Our gratitude goes out to our partner agencies who provided critical support in the apprehension of these violent offenders. We hope the arrests provide the victim’s friends and family with a sense of justice they greatly deserve.”
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP25-46218
Information previously released.
(March 12, 2025) – The Aurora Police Department Major Crime Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night in west Aurora.
About 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aurora police patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 10800 block of East Bethany Drive. When officers arrived at the scene, they located a 23-year-old Aurora man with an apparent gunshot wound.
Officers performed lifesaving actions on the victim until medical responders arrived at the scene. The victim was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where he later died. The victim will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation to date has determined the victim traveled to the area after facilitating a transaction through an online marketplace. Detectives are investigating the homicide as an isolated incident and don’t think the shooting is connected to any schools, places of worship or businesses in the area. There is no suspect information at this time and no arrests have been made.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP25-46218