Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct last name of a victim.
DENVER (KDVR) — An arrest has been made after a tip was provided in a 2023 double homicide case in Denver that left two dead and two injured.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver told FOX31 on Saturday that Matthew LaDaniel Johnson, 55, was arrested Friday by the FBI Denver Safe Streets Task Force and the Denver Police Department.
The arrest comes after FOX31’s Vicente Arenas reported that nearly 30 new “wanted” billboards were planned to go up around Denver, with hopes that the public might come forward with information regarding the suspect. The government agency had also announced a $10,000 reward.
“The tipster said the tip was motivated by news coverage of the reward, so thank you for helping us spread the word,” said an FBI spokesperson.
The double homicide occured in December 2023, when police say a shooting happened at a bar near West Colfax and Sheridan at about 1:30 a.m., resulting in the deaths of two men, Brandon Houston and Jason Lewis. Two others were also hurt during the incident, police said.
Investigators initially reported that both Houston and Lewis died after there was a disturbance with the alleged suspect. Sisters of Lewis said that he and Huston were friends.
Officers had said before the arrest that there were extensive efforts to find Johnston. With the Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas noting the billboards were going to be around the Denver metro, as they believed Johnson lived in the area, given he was “actually a custodian for the Denver Public Library.”
“This defendant will now have his day in court and the judicial process can begin,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “We hope these efforts bring a measure of justice and relief to the families of the victims.”
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.
