Father of 4 Steps Outside Home — Less Than an Hour Later, Police Find Him Shot 5 Times Near Skate Park

A Colorado family is searching for answers after a 28-year-old father of four was found fatally shot near a Denver skate park less than an hour after leaving his apartment. The tragic death of Jacob Hensley has left his wife, children, and loved ones struggling to understand how a night that began at home ended in violence.

A Normal Night Turns Tragic

According to family members, Jacob Hensley returned to the apartment he shared with his wife, Allison Hensley, on the night of May 21 after spending time drinking. Allison later explained that her husband was unusually intoxicated and having difficulty standing. The couple’s children were preparing for bed when Jacob arrived home.

Concerned about his condition, Allison suggested that he either leave the area or rest in another room. Instead, Jacob stepped back outside the apartment. It would be the last time his family would see him alive.

“He never came back,” Allison said while speaking about the devastating events that followed.

Less Than an Hour Later, Gunfire Near Denver Skatepark

Police say that less than an hour after Jacob left the apartment, officers responded to a shooting near the Denver Skatepark located around the intersection of 20th Street and Little Raven Street in downtown Denver. There, they found Jacob suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Emergency crews rushed to provide medical assistance before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Despite those efforts, Jacob later died from his injuries. Investigators determined that he had been shot five times.

For Allison, the number of gunshots raised immediate questions.

“He was shot five times,” she said. “That’s overkill.”

Self-Defense Claim Raises Questions

One of the most controversial aspects of the case involves the explanation reportedly given by the person who fired the shots.

According to Allison, investigators informed her that the shooter was claiming self-defense. Police have not publicly released extensive details about the encounter, but the explanation has left Jacob’s family unconvinced.

Allison said she struggles to believe that her husband, who was allegedly so intoxicated he could barely stand, posed a deadly threat to someone who was inside a vehicle and armed with a firearm.

“Someone who can’t even stand up and you have a car and a gun,” she said. “I don’t believe that he was attacking anyone.”

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced criminal charges as of the latest reports.

Family Rejects Claims About a Knife

Investigators have reportedly examined whether Jacob may have been carrying a knife at the time of the encounter. According to Allison, her husband often carried a pocketknife because he worked as a general contractor and regularly used it on the job.

However, she strongly rejected any suggestion that he would have used the tool to threaten or attack someone.

“He’s pulling knives on people? That’s insane,” she said while expressing disbelief at the circumstances surrounding his death.

The distinction could become important as detectives continue evaluating the self-defense claim and determining exactly what happened before the shooting occurred.

Remembering Jacob Hensley

Beyond the investigation, Jacob’s family wants the public to remember the person they lost.

His wife described him as a devoted father, a hardworking contractor, and a man deeply committed to his family. She said he was a loving parent to their four children and someone who constantly worked toward providing a better life for them.

Allison characterized him as a “great dad,” an “amazing person,” and someone who was both intelligent and driven.

The couple had been married for approximately 10 years, building a life together and raising their children. His sudden death has left a void that family members say will never be filled.

Police Continue Investigation

The Denver Police Department has confirmed that investigators remain in contact with everyone involved in the incident. Detectives continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting.

Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that no arrests had been made at the time of the report.

The final determination regarding whether the shooting was justified or criminal will depend on the evidence collected by investigators and any decisions made by prosecutors after reviewing the case.

A Family Searching for Justice

In the days following Jacob’s death, Allison shared her grief publicly, describing the loss as sudden, violent, and difficult to comprehend. She said the family is still trying to process what happened and focus on helping their children cope with the tragedy.

While investigators work to establish the facts, the family continues to seek answers about the final moments of Jacob’s life.

“I hope that there’s justice for my kids,” Allison said. “He did not deserve to die.”

As the investigation continues, loved ones remain hopeful that authorities will uncover exactly what happened near the Denver Skatepark that night and provide the answers they have been desperately seeking.