Prosecutor drops remaining charges against man accused of killing brothers on I-25

DENVER – Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced Wednesday her decision to drop the remaining charges against a man accused of shooting two brothers on Interstate 25 in June 2023.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on June 13, 2023, Denver Police responded to the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 between W. 6th Avenue and W. 8th Avenue. The first officer to arrive on the scene found a man lying in the roadway on the exit ramp with severe head trauma, according to the probable death statement. The man was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:22 p.m.

The officer found a second victim on I-25 northbound under W. 6th Avenue. This man had multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:10 p.m., according to the probable cause statement.

The victims were identified by their family on June 15 as Blake Lucas, 21, and Damon Lucas, 22. They said the brothers were on their way to a job interview. Their deaths were ruled a homicide by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner on June 15.

According to a probable cause statement, 26-year-old Stephan Long told investigators he was driving north on I-25 when the occupants of a vehicle driving alongside him began yelling at him. The other vehicle reportedly stopped in front of Long and cut him off.

Not long afterward, the passenger in the other vehicle reportedly got out and approached Long's car. The passenger began “grabbing and punching” Long through the open driver's window, Long told investigators. Long said he grabbed his handgun and shot the passenger, who reached through the window.

Long told investigators he tried to drive away, but the driver of the other vehicle got out and approached him. Long reportedly tried to drive off, but the driver apparently clung to the open window while the car was moving. Long said he shot the driver as he exited the highway.

The probable cause statement ends with the following words: “The suspect also fled the scene and did not call 911 regarding the incident. The suspect was not injured and had no visible injuries.”

Long was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting, one of which was dropped in October 2023.

In a statement Wednesday, McCann said her office “could not prove Mr. Long's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before a jury.”

“The evidence establishes a strong and valid claim of self-defense under Colorado law,” the prosecutor continued.

McCann concluded her statement by saying the decision was “extremely difficult and heartbreaking … but ultimately, in my opinion, the right one.”

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The Lucas family called the prosecutor's decision “heartbreaking.” Jessica Lucas, Blake and Damon's aunt, wanted the prosecutor's office to push harder to bring this case to trial and believes justice was not served.

“I don’t understand how anyone can claim self-defense when Damon was only trying to [Long] from leaving the scene after he shot his own brother. That's what any sibling would do in that situation,” Jessica said. “I think I can say on behalf of the Lucas family that this is going to be a really tough time. The last year has been tough, as have the first holidays without them, the first birthdays without them, it's tough. They had a lot of life ahead of them, whether it was a career, kids, marriage, everything. All of that was taken away from them.”

Amber Rivera, Blake and Damon's mother, said she intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit or defamation suit against the Long family.

Long's family has repeatedly protested his innocence. In May, the family and the Denver Justice Project left around 500 letters urging McCann to to drop the remaining charge of first-degree murder. The letters were signed by various community members and organizations.

The family asked for privacy Wednesday evening. Long's mother, Stephanie Clifton, said she wanted to use this time to be with the family and “enjoy this moment of freedom.”

In a statement, the Denver Justice Project said the release “represents the justice that Stephan deserved from the start.” The organization said the decision “could set an important precedent in the legal system and pave the way for fairer and more equitable treatment for all.”

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