DENVER — Denver Police are investigating a shooting that killed two men and injured five others Sunday morning.
Police said a call came in around 3:06 a.m. for a shooting at a strip mall located in the 5500 block of E. 33rd Avenue. That's near the intersection with Hudson Street, east of downtown Denver in the Park Hill neighborhood.
Denver Police Commander Matt Clark said that the shooting happened at some sort of after-hours club called "Hell's Lovers Motorcycle Club." The door had a sign reading "Private Club" on it. He said there was evidence of shots being fired outside the club, and investigators were working to find out what happened inside and what led to the shooting.
There was evidence of several guns being fired, Clark said.
Police initially said there were six victims in the shooting. They said later Sunday morning that there were seven victims, and one of them had died. Police said Sunday afternoon that a second victim had died of his injuries.
On Tuesday, the coroner's office identified the victims as Joshua Batts, 39, and Michael David, 43.
It's unclear how badly the other five victims were injured. Clark said that several were in surgery for their injuries.
He also said that officers are investigating if any of the victims also fired gunshots.
Clark said that there is a history of crime on that block, including several homicides, but he was not able to answer questions on the club's history specifically.
Shareef Aleem lives near where Sunday's shooting happened. He was sleeping when, he said, he heard a barrage of gunfire.
“It’s like a repeating nightmare that happens every few months out here,” Aleem said. “We’ve had multiple mass shootings on this particular corner for years.”
Once he learned his family was safe, Aleem grabbed his cell phone, went outside, and started recording the aftermath.
“When I turned on the recorder, it was about five to 10 minutes after the shooting, the police were arriving, and there were still people in the parking lot screaming and crying,” Aleem said.
Aleem said the scene was shocking but not unusual for the area.
“Unfortunately, my kids have seen this a lot,” he said. “I’m scared that they’re becoming desensitized to this type of violence. I talk to my children. Tell them what’s going on. Try to be honest and upfront with them about what’s happening so they can protect themselves."
Court records show investigators in the Denver area are familiar with the Hell's Lovers Motorcycle Club. In 2012, 19 people connected to the club were charged with various crimes, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of explosive materials. According to a press release at the time, officers recovered two flash-bang explosive devices stolen from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, a ballistic vest also stolen from the sheriff’s office, and a ballistic vest stolen from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Court documents tied to the case show a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent identified the club as an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang is a highly structured criminal organization whose members engage in activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking and drug trafficking.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS