Peter Arguello Obituary, Death; – One of the two individuals charged in the 2023 murder of a Wheat Ridge jewelry store owner was found guilty on all charges this week in Jefferson County.
On Wednesday, the jury convicted Charles Shay on 11 counts:
First-degree murder
Second-degree felony murder
Kidnapping/robbery
Second-degree kidnapping with a weapon
Aggravated robbery
Robbery
Second-degree motor vehicle theft
Second-degree arson
Tampering with evidence
Motor vehicle theft
Burglary
His trial commenced on July 25 in relation to the murder of Peter Arguello, who was fatally shot at his establishment located in the 7200 block of West 38th Avenue on November 29, 2023. Court documents indicate that the front door of the business is secured, requiring customers to be buzzed in.
On the day of his death, surveillance footage captured Arguello approaching the front door and allowing a man entry. Once inside, the man appears to examine items at the counter before brandishing a firearm at Arguello and compelling him to the back of the store. This individual was later recognized as Shay.
The footage also depicts a second individual, a man donning a bucket hat, entering the rear of the store, as stated in an arrest affidavit. This person was identified as Michael McCormack, who faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and motor vehicle theft.
As per the arrest affidavit, witnesses observed two individuals exiting Arguello’s store through the back door and entering a red pickup truck. Law enforcement later located this vehicle in Centennial. The affidavit notes that it had been set ablaze and sustained significant damage. Two hats were discovered in the truck bed, partially charred, which matched those worn by the two individuals seen on the surveillance footage departing the scene.
Shay was initially apprehended in connection with a burglary at the victim’s store that took place in December 2023, approximately one month following Arguello’s murder. After his arrest for the burglary, Shay informed investigators that he had broken into the jewelry store on December 26 because he had heard about the homicide and perceived it as a crime of opportunity.
