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Arrest tied to murder on Costilla St. brings relief to neighbors

Posted at 10:22 PM, Oct 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-13 00:23:59-04

 

COLORADO SPRINGS – Now that 27-year-old Gilberto Chavez Junior isbehind bars, facing a first-degree murder charge in connection to the murder of Army Captain Daniel Lehman, neighbors in the area are feeling a bit safer.

One of the owners of Bar-K on Costilla St. told News 5 his business partner, who’s a bartender, served Lehman that night he was killed and said Lehman was “very friendly, very nice” and all the other customers “seemed to like him.”

This only only added to their shock when they found out what happened a few blocks down the street.

It’s been almost a month since police first reported the murder and until now, police had not identified a suspect.

Bar co-owner George Fields tells me during this time the whole neighborhood had been feeling uneasy.
Employees were even calling ride-shares for their regular customers who’d walk in that direction to make sure they got home safe.

So news of the arrest comes as a huge relief.

“It was kind of a stress on everybody because it’s not like you expect that to go on anywhere in this town and so it’ll be nice that it was taken care of,” said Fields.

It’s not clear is what led up to this recent arrest or the circumstances surrounding the homicide itself.
News 5 requested the arrest affidavit related to this case but the records department said a judge has sealed those documents.

New 5 did look into Gilberto Chavez’s criminal history.
Back in 2011, police arrested for him for underage drinking and possession of alcohol.
Most recently in 2017, police arrested Chavez for possession of a controlled substance which resulted in a drug felony charge.

Colorado Springs Police are still asking anyone with information or who might be a witness to come forward by calling (719) 444-7000 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477 if you want to remain anonymous.