DENVER (KDVR) — A Parker man will spend 15 years behind bars after he violently assaulted a former longtime friend over an alleged dispute at a concert while he was drunk and high, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The district attorney’s office on Friday announced that Elbert County District Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Richard Szabelski, 49, to 15 years in prison over the July 2024 incident in a “bizarre attempted murder case.”
He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as a crime of violence and DUI.
“This was not just an act of violence- it was a betrayal,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson said in a press release. “The victim and his family were shocked and deeply traumatized by the defendant’s actions, especially because he was someone they had trusted for years.”
The incident happened in Elizabeth after Szabelski and his wife attended a concert at Red Rocks with the victim, a 48-year-old man, and the victim’s teenage son.
During the concert, the victim allegedly made an “inappropriate gesture” toward Szabelski’s wife, according to the district attorney’s office.
Later that night, the victim and his family were woken up by gunfire outside their home.
The victim and his son confronted Szabelski outside, where he was armed with a handgun, investigators found.
“Szabelski attempted to fire at (the victim), but the gun jammed,” according to the district attorney’s office. “He then struck (the victim) in the face and said ‘he was lucky’ the gun jammed.”
Szabelski then drove away but was arrested later. Marijuana and alcohol were also found in his system at the time, according to the district attorney’s office.
“Shooting at people while drunk and high gets you locked up here in the 23rd Judicial District,” District Attorney George Brauchler said in the press release. “I commend Judge Slade for sending a strong message that violence will not be tolerated in our community.”
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
