Second suspect arrested in killing of Wheat Ridge business owner

Lanie Lee Cook
·1 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — A second suspect in the shooting death of a Wheat Ridge business owner has been arrested and charged with murder, according to police.

Prosecutors charged Michael McCormack with second-degree murder, among other counts, the Wheat Ridge Police Department said in a release on Thursday. McCormack is accused of being an accomplice in the November killing of Peter Arguello.

‘Nothing left’ of runaway semitruck after fire on I-70

Arguello was shot and killed on Nov. 29 during a robbery at his jewelry and antiques store, Peter Damian Fine Jewelry and Antiques.

Police say they later matched DNA from handcuffs found at the West 38th Avenue crime scene with another suspect, Charles Shay. Shay faces counts of first- and second-degree murder in the killing and was taken into custody in late December, accused of burglarizing Arguello’s business nearly a month after the homicide.

Peter Arguello in a shop with a pinball machine, stacks of records and other items
Peter Arguello in a shop with a pinball machine, stacks of records and other items

In early March, police issued an arrest warrant for McCormack and had been working to find him, according to the release. Police located him in the Black Hawk area and took him into custody on Wednesday evening.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office filed charges against McCormack of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery and second-degree motor vehicle theft, along with sentence enhancers for violent crime, police said.

Court records show McCormack appeared in court for advisement on Thursday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled on May 30.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.