Denver, Colorado (DPD) — On May 1, 2023, around 8:30 p.m. Denver Police officers responded to a family disturbance in the 2000 block of North Oneida Street in the South Park Hill neighborhood. Officers were met outside the home by a woman who stated that the suspect was inside armed with a knife. She had called 911 and claimed that her nephew, 55-year-old Frankie Lee Evans, had used drugs earlier in the evening. The woman provided officers a key to the house. After entering, the officer found Evans and two hostages in a backroom. Evans, who had a knife in his hand, locked the bedroom door and wouldn’t let anyone else leave or come in. Evans can be heard yelling, “I have hostages!”. To avoid escalation, the officers decided not to try to force entry into the bedroom.
A mental health clinician also responded and attempted to speak with Evans, who refused to talk with her and instead preferred to speak with the officers. They bargained for nearly an hour until a scuffle was heard from inside, which was caused by the male victim’s attempt to disarm Evans. The officers advanced near the bedroom door and kicked it open at that point. As soon as it was opened, Evans could be seen battling with the male victim inside the room while brandishing a knife. Two DPD officers fired their firearms, striking Evans several times. They fired a total of five rounds. Evans was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neither of the hostages were hit by gunfire. Both were checked on the scene, and the male victim was transported to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound to the chest. Both victims later reported that Evans held the knife throughout the encounter, preventing both victims from leaving the room.
