Man investigated on murder charges after Sunday morning ‘burglary’ shooting

DENVER – Police are holding a man for investigation on murder charges after he allegedly shot a man to death early Sunday morning in what was initially believed to have been a home burglary.

Michael E. Lewis, 46, is being held for investigation on first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a previous offender charges.

Denver police were originally called out to a home in the 4700 block of Ireland Court, near Green Valley Ranch Boulevard, just before 6 a.m. Sunday after a person originally described as a suspected burglar was shot multiple times.

The victim of the shooting later died at a Denver hospital. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner identified the victim Monday afternoon as Thomas Johnson Jr., 53.

A probable cause statement for Lewis’ arrest says Lewis called 911 after the shooting and told dispatchers he had to shoot a man after the man broke into his house. He said he had shot the man in the leg and that the man was also bleeding from his head, but Lewis would not say where the gun was located.

Investigators brought Lewis, who was convicted in 2010 of felony forgery and sentenced to five years in prison, to the police station for an interview, at which time Lewis declined to speak to officers without a lawyer present.

An officer who rode with the victim of the shooting to the hospital told investigators the victim was shot twice in each leg and had a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

A different officer said there was no sign of forced entry at the home either.

Court records show Lewis has an extensive rap sheet that includes arrests on vehicle theft, assault, menacing, and domestic violence charges, among others.

DPD says the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.