A trucker has been convicted of second-degree murder after shooting a woman in the parking lot of a Boot Barn. An Arapahoe County jury convicted 44-year-old John David Thoren III of second-degree murder on April 12, 2024. In a news release, authorities explained that Thoren was sleeping in his semi-trick at a Boot Barn parking lot on South Parker Road in the overnight hours of October 28, 2022.
Around 2:30 a.m., he was awoken by an unknown woman throwing rocks at the driver’s side of his truck. Thorne reportedly told the woman to stop before showing her a gun. He told police he cracked open his door and threatened to shoot the woman if she did not stop throwing rocks.
46-year-old Rachel Holmes was shot with a 9mm gun and pronounced deceased at the scene. Following the shooting, Thoren called 911 but did not render aid. Authorities say Thoren said he was scared for his safety and admitted to shooting Holmes. Thoren was convicted of Second-Degree murder and Violent Crime/Use of a Weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2024.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.