Denver DA Charges Levi Diecidue with New Year’s Eve Double Homicide

DENVER—On January 1, 2022, 24-year-old Devonte Phillips and 29-year-old Hiyaw Zewdie were at the Cabin Tap House in Denver’s LoDo area when they were shot and killed.  Prosecutors with the Denver District Attorney’s Office today announced that 22-year-old Levi Diecidue is charged with their murders.

Shortly after midnight, Phillips got into an argument with a group of men who became upset after being accidentally bumped into in the upstairs bar area or dance floor. Phillips and the men later went down to the basement where Phillips was attacked. Phillips eventually came upstairs and another disturbance erupted over what had happened to Phillips in the basement. During this second incident, Diecidue is alleged to have pulled out a handgun and shot at Phillips and other patrons on the crowded dance floor. Zewdie, who was not associated with anyone in the confrontation, was struck by one of the bullets and died on scene. Two other men sustained gunshot wounds from the incident but were transported to Denver Health Medical and survived.

Levi Diecidue faces one count of murder after deliberation (F1), one count of murder with extreme indifference (F1), one count of attempted murder after deliberation (F2), one count of first degree assault with a deadly weapon (F3), one count of attempted first degree assault with extreme indifference (F4) and one count of second degree assault with a deadly weapon (F4).

Diecidue was advised this morning. This is Denver District Court case number 22CR000255 and will be heard in courtroom 5A.

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The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  See Colo. RPC 3.6.