Defendant Convicted of First-Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison for Beating and Fatally Shooting Westminster Man
August 4, 2022
Brighton, CO — Today, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the First-Degree Murder conviction of Juan Castorena, 37, following a seven-day jury trial in Adams County District Court.
On January 30, 2018, Westminster Police were called to a report of shots fired at the Greenbriar Apartments along Federal Boulevard. Responding officers found Ricardo Rivas, 23, dead in the parking lot with a single gunshot wound to his head.
Following an intensive two-year investigation by the Westminster Police Department, Juan Castorena was identified as the shooter. On January 30, 2018, Castorena lured the victim out of his apartment. The two were involved in an ongoing dispute. Castorena and another unidentified man beat Rivas, and as they were leaving the scene, Castorena pulled out a handgun and began firing at the victim.
An eyewitness identified Castorena as the shooter, his DNA was on Rivas' face, and the defendant's social media records captured conversations between him and the victim minutes before the shooting.
On July 19, 2022, an Adams County Jury found Castorena guilty of:
"This was a brutal crime and now another life is lost to gun violence,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “I’m grateful to the Westminster Police Department for conducting a lengthy and thorough investigation and to my team at the District Attorney’s Office for securing a conviction in this difficult case."
Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Fritts and Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Whitney led the prosecution of this case.
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District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.
Go Back On January 30, 2018, Westminster Police were called to a report of shots fired at the Greenbriar Apartments along Federal Boulevard. Responding officers found Ricardo Rivas, 23, dead in the parking lot with a single gunshot wound to his head.
Following an intensive two-year investigation by the Westminster Police Department, Juan Castorena was identified as the shooter. On January 30, 2018, Castorena lured the victim out of his apartment. The two were involved in an ongoing dispute. Castorena and another unidentified man beat Rivas, and as they were leaving the scene, Castorena pulled out a handgun and began firing at the victim.
An eyewitness identified Castorena as the shooter, his DNA was on Rivas' face, and the defendant's social media records captured conversations between him and the victim minutes before the shooting.
On July 19, 2022, an Adams County Jury found Castorena guilty of:
- First-Degree Murder (F1)
"This was a brutal crime and now another life is lost to gun violence,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “I’m grateful to the Westminster Police Department for conducting a lengthy and thorough investigation and to my team at the District Attorney’s Office for securing a conviction in this difficult case."
Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Fritts and Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Whitney led the prosecution of this case.
# # #
District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.