Xavier Manzanares Obituary, Death – A deadly shooting in Pueblo on Wednesday afternoon has left one man dead, and authorities have now released his identity. The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the victim was 27-year-old Xavier Manzanares, who succumbed to his injuries following the violent encounter.
According to the Pueblo Police Department (PPD), officers were initially dispatched at approximately 2:22 p.m. to the 3000 block of West Northern Avenue in response to reports of a possible vehicle theft. While investigating that situation, officers received a secondary call about a fight involving weapons occurring nearby.
When police arrived at the scene—a parking lot of a local business—they discovered Manzanares suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel were quickly called, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save him, Manzanares later died from his injuries.
Police confirmed that detectives had already made contact with the individual believed to have fired the fatal shot. Authorities said the person has been cooperating and undergoing interviews with investigators. No immediate arrests or charges were announced by Wednesday evening, as officials continue to piece together the chain of events that led to the fatal confrontation.
The shooting has drawn significant attention in Pueblo, not only because of the circumstances but also because it marks the 10th homicide in the city this year, according to police data. Community members expressed concern that the number of violent incidents in the area appears to be rising, leaving families and residents shaken by the latest tragedy.
Investigators are now working to establish what role, if any, the reported vehicle theft may have had in connection to the shooting. While details about the altercation remain limited, police have emphasized that their focus is on gathering all available evidence, including eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and forensic analysis.
Authorities have not yet released further information about the suspected shooter’s identity or whether any charges will be filed once the investigation is complete. For now, police said their priority is to determine exactly what sparked the altercation and to assess whether the shooting may have been an act of self-defense or a criminal offense.
The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office will continue to handle the official cause and manner of death, though it has already confirmed Manzanares died as a result of the gunshot wound he sustained. His death adds to a troubling statistic for the city in 2025, which has now recorded double-digit homicides less than ten months into the year.
As investigators move forward, the Pueblo Police Department is urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to come forward. Detectives believe additional eyewitness testimony could help clarify the moments leading up to the shooting, especially in understanding how the reported fight and vehicle theft were connected, if at all.
Community leaders have expressed condolences to the family of Manzanares, acknowledging the pain and loss they are facing. At the same time, they are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and to work with law enforcement in addressing the ongoing challenges related to violent crime in the city.
For now, Pueblo police continue to treat the case as an active investigation. Updates are expected as more details become available and as detectives determine whether charges will be pursued against the individual currently under questioning.
The fatal shooting of Xavier Manzanares underscores the ongoing problem of violence in the community and has once again placed Pueblo in the spotlight as officials work to prevent further tragedies.
