Colorado Smoky Hill Road shooting suspect charged with attempted first-degree murder, bail set at $2 million

The suspect in the Smoky Hill Road shooting in Aurora charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assaultaccording to prison records.

On Thursday, two women and a man were shot near homes in the area of ​​E. Smoky Hill Road and E. Quincy Avenue in Aurora.

“We do not believe the suspect knew any of these individuals,” said Aurora police spokesman Matthew Longshore.

Upon arrival, APD officers discovered several scenes of violence.

In the 4400 block of South Eagle Circle, APD officers located a 50-year-old woman in her vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds.

“As officers inspected the immediate area, they observed a vehicle that appeared to be damaged,” Longshore said.

She was quickly rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Just a block away, a 64-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were also shot while walking. Police began to suspect that all of the shootings were carried out by the same individual.

The shooting required a large police presence late into the night, and one person was eventually arrested.

The person arrested was identified as 34-year-old Austin Benson. Benson was arrested at an Aurora apartment. Police also found several firearms in the apartment.

A report from CBS News Colorado reporter in Aurora Michael Abeyta indicates that Benson had previously committed attempted murders in the state.

Although police have not yet revealed a motive, records suggest similarities to previous incidents now involving a person with the same name.

Court documents from 2018 indicate that Austin Benson, 29, who shares the same birthdate as the Aurora shooting suspect, was involved in similar incidents in El Paso and Douglas counties.

In July 2018, El Paso County authorities pursued a carjacking suspect who shot at vehicles and individuals along Rampart Range Road before stopping at Devil's Head Campground in Douglas County, where he confronted a retired Alabama police officer with a rifle.

Benson is currently being held in the Arapahoe County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. His bail has been set at $2 million, while his next court appearance is scheduled for July 1.

RELATED: Aurora shooting suspect has prior attempted first-degree murder charges