The Thornton Police Department responded to a stabbing that was reported on August 13 at 6:51 a.m. near Margaret Carpenter Fields, 11151 Colorado Boulevard.
Officers arrived and located an adult male victim suffering from a serious but non-life-threatening wound to his upper chest. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and is in stable condition.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle before the police arrived; however, witnesses were able to provide a license plate number. An officer searched the Flock Safety database using the plate number and located an image of the suspect vehicle, which showed several distinct features.
While searching the area, an officer spotted a vehicle matching those features parked at a local gas station. The officer confirmed it had the same license plate originally provided by the witness and contacted 21-year-old David Cortez Martell at the vehicle.
Martell was taken into custody for first degree assault and transported to Adams County Jail.
Under Colorado law, the arrest and filing of criminal charges are merely formal accusations that an individual committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The information released is preliminary and may change as the investigation continues. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Thornton Police Department Tip Line at 720-977-5069.