Suspect identified in fatal stabbing attack at 16th Street mall in Denver

DENVER (KKTV) – A 24-year-old man faces multiple murder and attempted murder charges in connection with a fatal stabbing attack at Denver’s 16th Street Mall over the weekend.

Two people were killed and two others injured in what the Denver Police Department says was a random series of attacks on a popular boardwalk.

Three of the stabbings occurred in just 42 minutes Saturday evening, starting at 4 p.m., and in Tremont at 5:12 p.m., when a man was punched in the face. Just five minutes later, another attack occurred at 16th and California, in which a woman was stabbed in the throat. Police say a third victim was stabbed in the torso and arm at 16th and Lawrence Streets at 5:54 p.m. Each scene was located just a few blocks from the previous one.

Another stabbing was reported Sunday night at 16th and Market Streets, two blocks north of where the third attack occurred.

“We really have grave concern in the community because these appear to be unprovoked attacks,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said at a news conference Sunday evening, just hours before announcing the suspect was in custody.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect Sunday afternoon, describing him as a white male wearing a gray or dark green jacket without a hood, black jeans and black Adidas shoes with white stripes. Police distributed the photo to businesses in the mall, including hotels and nearby Coors Field, and urged the public to be vigilant as the attacker is still on the loose.

A few hours after this warning, a fourth person was attacked.

Police confirmed they arrested 24-year-old Elijah Caudill at the scene of the fourth stabbing and that they linked him to all the stabbings.

UPDATE: An adult male has been arrested in connection with three stabbings that occurred on Saturday. evening along 16th St and for fatally stabbing Sun. night in the area of 16 Street/Market. Investigations ongoing. He has not yet been booked into jail, so his ID card will be issued on Monday. Morning.

— Denver Police Department (@DenverPolice) January 13, 2025

Detectives have found no connection between the suspect and the victims and have not yet determined a motive.

“I think we haven’t seen random acts of violence in our city center for as long as we can remember, and that means we’re both heartbroken for the people suffering, and also deeply committed to society, knowing that this person has been arrested, is in custody, we will file any possible charges against him and that these random acts of violence are not typical and should not be expected in the downtown area,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said after Caudill’s arrest.

The victim killed Saturday has been identified as Celinda Levno, 71, an American Airlines flight attendant who was at the mall during a layover. American Airlines released a statement to sister station 11 News CBS Denver on Sunday, saying the carrier “is heartbroken and mourning the tragic loss of our colleague who was the victim of a senseless crime last night.”

In addition to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, the suspect faces first-degree murder charges against an at-risk elderly person due to Levno’s age.

Saturday night’s other two victims, both men, are expected to survive.

The victim of the fourth stabbing has not been identified except that he was a man.

Caudill made his first court appearance on Monday and is being held without bond.