Arrest made in 2020 cold-case homicide

Lakewood police Friday arrested a man in connection to a cold-case Denver homicide from 2020.

Patrick Apostol, 45, was arrested and is being held for investigation of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the 2020 death of Zackary Smith, 32, the Denver Police Department said in a news release.

On Sept. 10, 2022, Denver police responded about 3:55 a.m. to the 1700 block of North Quebec and North Quince streets to a Shot Spotter detection, according to the news release.

Officers found a crashed vehicle rolled over in the alleyway between the two streets, and Smith inside, according to an arrest affidavit.

Officers discovered Smith had been shot in the head, and Smith died later that day at a hospital.

Much of the affidavit narrative surrounding what led officers to Apostol being suspected was redacted, but the news release stated a community tip led to Apostol being identified as the alleged shooter.

Apostol lived near where the car crashed in the alleyway, and officers interviewed him the day of the crash.

A black robe Apostol was wearing when officers interviewed him that day later tested positive for gunshot residue, according to the affidavit, and Apostol allegedly deleted text messages from right after the shooting.

The Denver District Attorney’s Office will determine any official charges.