UPDATE
September 23, 2022
DENVER — Michael Close was convicted of murder. He faces a mandatory life term when he’s sentenced. Read more.
November 18, 2020
DENVER — A Denver man accused of gunning down a 21-year-old woman over a feud about dog defecation reportedly fired off 24 shots from a semi-automatic rifle in the June attack.
The revelations about 24-year-old suspect Michael Close’s alleged ambush that left Isabella Thallas dead and wounded her boyfriend, Darian Simon, 27, were disclosed at the defendant’s preliminary hearing on Monday, KDVR reported.
Denver police homicide investigator, Joseph Trujillo, testified that authorities found six shell casings inside Close’s apartment, and 18 others outside his window.
Close is accused of firing from inside his apartment at Thallas and Simon, who were walking their dog.
Before opening fire, Close yelled at the couple after their dog pooped in a rock garden outside his apartment, according to Trujillo. “Are you going to train that f—ing dog or just yell at it?” Close reportedly hollered from his window.
After the June 10 shooting, Close fled the scene in his car and was arrested by police later that day. He is charged with first-degree murder and over a dozen other counts, the New York Post reported.
The defendant was denied bond on Monday, according to the Post.
Chelsea Thompson told police that after the shooting her boyfriend — Michael Close — called her crying, admitting to opening fire on two people, Trujillo testified.
Close was also crying and apologizing when he was arrested, Trujillo said.
