Two Injured in Durango Bar Shooting

The gun may have been discarded somewhere in the neighborhood near the bar at 509 East Eighth Ave. after the shots were fired, said Police Deputy Chief Brice Current. Police are asking the public to call Durango Communications center at (970) 385-2900 if the gun is found. “Our officers are currently out looking for the weapon now and we are also asking for the community’s help,” Current said Saturday morning. “We believe the weapon might have been discarded in the area of a business or a residence.” Current said if someone finds a weapon to not touch or move it in any way.

From Durango Police

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Two people were shot and injured at the 8th Avenue Tavern in Durango on Friday evening and police are asking for the public’s help in case the weapon is found, according to Durango Police.

The gun may have been discarded somewhere in the neighborhood near the bar at 509 East Eighth Ave. after the shots were fired, said Police Deputy Chief Brice Current. Police are asking the public to call Durango Communications center at (970) 385-2900 if the gun is found.

“Our officers are currently out looking for the weapon now and we are also asking for the community’s help,” Current said Saturday morning. “We believe the weapon might have been discarded in the area of a business or a residence.” Current said if someone finds a weapon to not touch or move it in any way.

The names of the victims have not been released. A 29-year-old man was shot through the leg and a 41-year-old woman was shot through the shoulder. Both are in stable condition, Current said.

Current said a phone call to the communications center was initially made at 11:28 p.m. Friday evening to report that a Hispanic male in a black puffy winter jacket was shooting a firearm in the alleyway behind CJ’s Diner. An additional call was immediately made to report a gunshot injury at the tavern, which is across the street from CJ’s.

The suspect, Michael Quirova, 27, went in the alley behind CJ’s Diner, north on Ninth Avenue and then up Goeglein Gulch Road, said Current. A suspect matching Quirova’s description was found near Goeglein, and who then fought with police. The suspect was subdued after officers fired multiple tazer shots, said Current. Officers were unable to locate the weapon involved in the shooting, he said. Detectives searched the suspect’s residence and found additional evidence, he said.

Police have released a photo of Quirova’s shoe print. “If you see that print in the snow on your property be mindful that you may find a weapon,” Current said.

Quirova was recently released from Hilltop House community corrections center. Hilltop provides transitional housing to parolees and criminal offenders who are required to work and earn income while living in the community. Quirova wore an ankle bracelet because he was still on parole, Current said.

Quirova has a criminal record dating to 2008 that includes convictions for burglary, possession of a controlled substance, vehicular eluding and flight escape. Following the shots fired at the 8th Avenue Tavern, Quirova is going to be charged with seven counts of attempted murder and felony assault, as well as for possessing a weapon by a previous offender, violating a protection order and resisting arrest. Quirova will also be charged with a separate felony charge for knowingly having COVID-19 and coughing in an officer’s face, Current said.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the bar patrons, management, EMS, Fire, the Sheriff’s Office,” Current said. “We also want to thank the incredible hospital staff for taking care of the victims.”