DENVER (KDVR) The man suspected of stabbing four people and killing two along the 16th Street Mall over the weekend appeared before a judge Monday morning, and Denver’s mayor and police chief addressed the stabbing spree jointly.

Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said on Monday that officers were at the 16th Street Mall on Sunday night when they saw a man running and carrying a knife. Shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, officers arrested 24-year-old Elijah Caudill near 16th Street and Wynkoop Street, accusing him of committing three stabbings on Saturday between 5-6 p.m.

Shortly thereafter, the officers learned of the deadly stabbing on Sunday night. The victim, a man, was found at 16th and Wynkoop Street and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Caudill is being held for investigation of one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree murder of an at-risk elder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. The charges have not been filed in court yet, and no bond has been handed down.

Mayor: ‘Random acts of violence’ uncommon in Denver

On Monday evening, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Thomas held a press conference to address what they called an “isolated, exceedingly rare” event, emphasizing the suspect is in police custody. Thomas said Caudill was captured Sunday night carrying a “large, butcher-style knife.”

“I think we have not seen random acts of violence like this in our city center in as long as we can remember,” Johnston said. “That means we are both heartbroken for the folks who are suffering, and we are deeply committed to the public knowing that this individual has been detained, is in custody. We will pursue all possible charges against him, and these random acts of violence are not typical.”

Johnston listed statistics regarding crime rates in Denver and said the city’s homicide rate dropped 23% in 2024, which is the largest drop in about a decade. There was also a 55% decline in drug offenses and a decrease in shootings.

“Denver is getting more vibrant and more safe every day,” Johnston said. “This was a tragic catastrophic event in our city, and they’re hard to get through. It’s also important for people to know just how rare they are.”

The Downtown Denver Partnership also released a statement regarding the stabbings in the city center.

“We are horrified by the events that took place, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all of those who have been impacted,” the group said in its statement. “A safe environment is of the highest importance to all of us at the Downtown Denver Partnership, and we – together with our partners at DPD and the City – remain wholly focused on the safety of our center city. We do not tolerate violence of any kind downtown, and as a community, we must continue to unite against all crime.”

Police chief details timeline of 16th Street Mall stabbings

On Monday, Thomas explained how the weekend events played out, including the timeline.

He said Denver police first learned of a stabbing at 16th Street Mall near California Street on Saturday at about 5:17 p.m., where an American Airlines flight attendant, identified as Celinda Levno, died from stab wounds to her throat after she was taken to a hospital.

The agency then responded to a stabbing at about 5:54 p.m. near 16th and Lawrence Street. The victim, a man, suffered serious injuries and was in critical but stable condition Sunday night. He was unable to give an interview to the police due to his injuries.

Police then learned of a prior stabbing that occurred at about 5:12 p.m. The victim, another man, was slashed in the face and took himself to the hospital nearly an hour later.

Thomas did not discuss any motive for the suspect in the Monday press conference. He said Denver police are providing additional resources to the 16th Street Mall for the foreseeable future.

Thomas did discuss Caudill’s criminal history, noting he was born in Colorado and has spent a large portion of his life in the Denver metro area. Thomas said the first time law enforcement engaged with Caudill was in 2016, and the first time Denver police engaged with Caudill was in 2018. He also served time in the Department of Corrections and was most recently released from police custody in November after assaulting a worker at a detox facility.

Thomas also addressed whether Caudill was released on a personal recognizance bond, saying he was not aware of that and said Caudill had served 11 months before his release.

Thomas issued a grim statement Sunday, warning citizens to remain vigilant while downtown.

“There’s someone out there who is indiscriminately stabbing people and causing significant harm,” Thomas said Sunday. “These individuals were by themselves, so I would say that if you’re going to be in the downtown area, or really anywhere in the city, I think that it’s best that you be with somebody, and if you have to be alone, be vigilant and make sure you’re paying attention to your surroundings.”

He addressed that statement on Monday.

“Be aware of your surroundings, I think that’s always a good practice, but I think that this is a safe place to be,” he said during the press conference on the 16th Street Mall.