Man pleads guilty in Topgolf shooting

A man accused of shooting two co-workers outside Topgolf in Thornton, killing one of them, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder Thursday.

Court records show Victor Salazar-Guarache, 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in connection with the December 2023 shootings of Bryce Holden, 22, and a manager.

Around 12:50 a.m. on Dec. 23, officers went to Topgolf in the 16000 block of Grant Street in Thornton. They found Holden, who later died at the hospital.

According to the arrest affidavit, Salazar-Guarache and Holden both worked as dishwashers at Topgolf. The chef told investigators that Salazar-Guarache left work for an unknown reason at 11:42 p.m., even though his shift was not over. Cameras showed him getting into his car and driving around the parking lot.

An hour later, after closing, Holden and the manager headed out to the parking lot. At that point, the affidavit states, Salazar-Guarache got out of a vehicle and took a “shooting stance” before starting shooting at the two men. Holden fell to the ground, while the head chef ran inside.

Salazar-Guarache continued shooting after Holden was on the ground, firing a total of 12 times before getting back into his car and driving away, the affidavit states.

A rideshare driver who was at the business to pick up another employee told police he witnessed the shooting. He said he saw Salazar-Guarache take the “shooting position” and that no one else was with him. He told investigators it appeared Salazar-Guarache was laughing as he walked back to his vehicle after the shooting.

Salazar-Guarache was identified as a suspect by several employees, as well as through security footage. Shortly after 4:10 a.m. on Dec. 23, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office spotted his vehicle traveling north on Interstate 25 and conducted a high-risk traffic stop before taking him into custody .

Sentencing is scheduled for October 11.

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