Three people were shot and wounded at the end of a rock concert Thursday night in the parking lot of the popular Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater near Denver, Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer said. The unidentified suspect remains at large and no motive has been released.
The gunman fired at the occupants of a white SUV limousine, which immediately fled the scene after the incident. The car's unidentified driver was stopped 15 miles from the concert after he was caught speeding, who claimed to be rushing the wounded victims to a hospital.
Investigators did not know if more people had been in the SUV before police stopped it, USA Today reported.
"This initially came out as a chase, as a pursuit," said Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley. "It wasn't until Denver police got this vehicle stopped that they realized it was headed to the hospital. They were headed into town and didn't want to wait for medical."
Police are seeking a black man, described at 6 feet tall and carrying a rifle, who they claim open fired at the SUV.
The victims' injuries were not life-threatening and one was discharged from Denver Health Medical Center. Their names were not released, but Techmeyer confirmed that none of them were performers at the concert.
"We do not believe this is a random shooting into a crowd," Techmeyer said. "We don't know what the motive would have been for the shooter, or what the connection is with the victims."
Following the shooting, an hours-long car-to-car search was started after police at the concert venue about 10 miles west of Denver shut the gates upon hearing of the incident. The victim's SUV was reported to have left before the gates were closed.
Red Rocks was also placed on lockdown while police searched for the shooter. The last car was able to leave around 3 a.m. Friday.
"My friends got pretty emotional and choked up by it because they didn't understand what was going on, or if someone was on the loose," Samantha Auday said after going to the concert.
Concertgoers have been requested to share any video recordings made backstage or in the merchandise sales area known as the Trading Post from 9-11 p.m. Investigators are also reviewing "hundreds" of calls to a tipline.
About 4,500 people attended the concert featuring rap artists Nas, Schoolboy Q and Flying Lotus west of Denver, Red Rocks officials said. The amphitheater seats up to 9,525 people.
