This month, Arapahoe County District Court Judge Jacob Edson sentenced Kelvin Watson, 30, to 13 years in the Department of Corrections for a 2020 shooting at an Aurora Waffle House restaurant.
Around midnight on May 14, 2020, Watson showed up to order food at the Waffle House restaurant in the 12800 block of E. Mississippi Avenue. Watson reportedly entered the business without a mask and was told he needed to have a mask on, or staff could not serve him. According to a waitress, Watson left the restaurant and returned with a mask, but would not wear it. Watson was asked to leave again and that is when the waitress said Watson pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the cook. Watson ultimately left the Waffle House and the incident was reported to police that morning.
Shortly after midnight the next day, police officers in Aurora were dispatched to a shooting at the Waffle House restaurant and discovered the cook who was threatened 24 hours ago was shot in stomach. The cook identified Watson as the suspect, and staff noted he was a “regular” at the restaurant.
This month, Watson pleaded guilty to Attempted Second-Degree Murder, a class 3 felony, and a Sentence Enhancer for committing a violent crime with a weapon.
Following Watson’s release from prison, he will be placed on mandatory parole for 3 years.
“While restaurants and stores are public places, businesses have the right to refuse service or ask customers to leave their establishment,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “The defendant drove back to the restaurant and shot an innocent employee for no reason other than doing his job.”