Sentence follows plea in March 2025 killing
Denver authorities on Tuesday announced a prison sentence of up to 38 years for a local man who admitted he shot and killed another man after a dispute over food. The plea and sentence bring to a close a case that has remained a painful point for neighbors and family members since the shooting in March 2025.
The defendant, Rafael Acosta-Hernandez, 25, pleaded guilty in May to charges stemming from the death of Leonel Silva-Perez, 25. The incident occurred while Acosta-Hernandez was selling food from his pickup truck in the 2600 block of North Zuni Street. Prosecutors say Silva-Perez asked for a free meal; Acosta-Hernandez became angry and chased Silva-Perez into an alley, where he was shot multiple times.
"One year later, Leonel Silva-Perez’s murder remains impossible to explain. After simply asking for food, he was chased down an alley and shot numerous times by Rafael Acosta-Hernandez. This sentence ensures that Acosta-Hernandez will pay a heavy price, as he should, for his senseless and destructive actions," Denver District Attorney John Walsh said in a statement.
Legal timeline and penalties
The case moved from arrest and charge to a guilty plea in a period spanning several months. With the plea entered in May and the sentence handed down this summer, the outcome eliminates the need for a jury trial and secures a lengthy term behind bars.
- Victim: Leonel Silva-Perez, 25
- Defendant: Rafael Acosta-Hernandez, 25
- Location: 2600 block of North Zuni Street, Denver
- Incident: March 2025
- Plea: Guilty (May)
- Sentence: Up to 38 years in prison
Sentences framed as "up to" an allotted number of years mean the defendant may serve less than the maximum depending on state sentencing rules, credit for time served, parole eligibility and other factors. The administration of the sentence will be governed by Colorado's corrections and parole procedures.
Community impact and response
Neighbors in the area where the shooting occurred have said the case underscored concerns about street-level conflicts and community safety. Though criminal proceedings have closed this chapter in the courts, the loss remains with the victim’s family and the neighborhood.
Local law enforcement and the district attorney’s office typically point to such sentences as part of efforts to hold offenders accountable. The DA’s statement emphasized the senseless nature of the killing and framed the punishment as accountability for a violent act that began with a request for food.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Shooting occurred in 2600 block of North Zuni Street |
| May 2026 | Defendant pleaded guilty |
| July 2026 | Sentence imposed: up to 38 years |
As the sentence is carried out, public attention often shifts to prevention efforts — from neighborhood outreach and social services to policing strategies aimed at reducing violent confrontations. For residents, the case is a reminder of the human cost behind crime statistics and the continuing need for community resources to address conflict before it turns deadly.
