CO CO- Zack Smith, 31, guitarist /founding member of Autonomix, fatally shot, Denver, 10 September 2020 *NEW INITIATIVE, REWARD*

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March 29 2023 Author: Jaleesa Irizarry

$20,000 reward offered in 2020 cold case that killed local musician

Josh Nermon a friend of Zackary Smith told 9NEWS he was with his bandmate the night before he died and they're baffled at who would want to hurt him.

www.9news.com

''DENVER — Metro Denver Crime Stoppers has increased the reward to $20,000 for any information that leads to an arrest for a 2020 homicide cold case.
Denver Police (DPD) said Zackary Smith was shot and killed just before 4 a.m. on Sept. 10, 2020, in the area of the 1700 blocks of North Quebec Street and North Quince Street.

Josh Nermon a friend of Zack's told 9NEWS he was with Zack the night before he died. They were writing music for the band they started. He said he woke up the next morning to a dozen missed calls with news he never thought he'd hear.
"So I was the last person to spend time with Zack," Nermon explained. "When he left my house, I wanted to make sure he got home safe. So I was adamant I was like, 'Hey man, let me know when you get home. I want to make sure you're good,' about 15 minutes after he left my house I get a text saying, 'Hey man, made it home. Love you. Great song we wrote can't wait to do it again."

''Nermon woke to the news that Zack was shot and killed. Police believe the shooting happened just before 4 a.m.''

''Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or visit metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous. ''

Credit: Josh Nermon

Autonomix Carries on After Its Guitarist Died in a Fatal Shooting

The Denver band carries on after its guitarist died in a fatal shooting.

www.westword.com

2021
''When Denver psychedelic-funk band Autonomix played a gig last September 5, keyboardist Josh Nermon and bassist Danny Littler had no clue it would be the last time they’d share the stage with guitarist Zack Smith.

But five days later, Smith, 31, was fatally shot following a traffic collision in Denver. Nermon says the case is still being investigated.''

Zack Smith, left, a founding member of Autonomix, was killed in a shooting in September. Taylor Joerger

 

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March 17 2023 rbbm

‘Kind, selfless and so talented’: Zackary Smith’s parents plead for answers

It’s been roughly two and a half years since Zackary Smith was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside his car. Now, his parents are urgently pushing for tips so they can help Denv…

kdvr.com

''DENVER (KDVR) — It’s been roughly two and a half years since Zackary Smith was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside his car. Now, his parents are urgently pushing for tips so they can help Denver Police Department solve this case.

On Thursday, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers announced an increased reward for information leading to an arrest in Smith’s case. The reward has since been increased to $30,000. Smith’s parents donated to the pot of money and are behind that push for answers.

“He just loved Denver and the circle of friends he had and he was a Colorado guy,” Smith’s father Scot Smith told FOX31. The two moved to Denver in 2002 when Smith was 13 years old.

Smith’s mother, Jan Purther, lived with his sisters in Michigan at the time of the move.

“I think he became him because of Denver,” Purther said. “The music that he stumbled upon.”

“One shot was fired through the back of his car,” Smith said. “Kind of below the rear windshield into a metal panel in the back of the car. It was one shot. He was driving away. That bullet deflected, hit him in the back of the head. He, then I believe lost conscious right then, hit a tree in that alley and then the car flipped over.”

His parents, now desperate for answers, characterize Smith as “one of the nicest people you’re gonna meet.”

“He never should have met his end how that happened in that alley that night,” Smith said. “That never should have happened to a guy like Zack.”