Brighton Police Department has arrested a juvenile female in connection to a homicide that occurred in the 400 block of North 6th Avenue.

On Tuesday, March 28 just after midnight, officers were dispatched to check the well-being of a man who had not been heard from in several days. Responding officers observed a person down inside the residence who was unresponsive. Officers made entry and the male was found to be deceased with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was later identified as 44-year-old Joseph Johnson of Brighton, Colorado.

Upon further investigation, detectives identified the suspect as a 15-year-old female. Later that day, on March 28 at around 1 p.m., the suspect was arrested in Castle Rock, Colorado. She was transported to Brighton Police Department for processing and booked into Prairie Vista Youth Services Detention Center on charges of murder and motor vehicle theft. The identity of the suspect will not be released at this time due to her age.

The case will be filed with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office where the final decision of formal charges will be determined. Under Colorado laws, the arrest and filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.