Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds was shot in the head after leaving Shotgun Willie’s, a popular strip club in Glendale, Colorado, in the early hours of October 18, according to local authorities. Reynolds was accompanied by two male acquaintances and had stayed at the club until close to 3 a.m.
Shortly after, Glendale police responded to reports of a shooting near East Hampden Avenue and South Dahlia Street in Denver’s Southmoor Park neighborhood.
When officers arrived, they found Reynolds with gunshot wounds to the back of his head and left arm, while one of his companions had been shot in the back, and the other suffered injuries from shattered glass. Reports indicate the three men sustained additional scratches while attempting to climb a fence during the incident. Reynolds and one of his friends were taken to a nearby hospital with what officials described as minor injuries, and both are expected to recover.
Reynolds, who had been on injured reserve following surgery for a broken finger earlier in October, had been absent from team activities for several days without immediate explanation. The Broncos organization and Reynolds’ teammates were reportedly shocked by the news.
The shooting incident also involved a series of 911 calls from individuals in the area. One caller, reportedly driving a blue Ford Bronco, told dispatchers he had been shot but later stopped responding, and his voice sounded panicked, as if he were running.
Additional callers reported being followed or having been injured, indicating the chaotic nature of the situation.
Reynolds’ presence at Shotgun Willie’s may remind fans of a notable 2023 incident involving NBA player Ja Morant, who was recorded displaying a firearm at the same club, ultimately leading to his suspension. Shotgun Willie’s has remained a high-profile location in the Denver area and has been associated with multiple incidents over the years.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, and a standout at Texas A&M, Reynolds was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Over his NFL career, Reynolds has amassed 232 catches, 3,116 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns, with stints on the Rams, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, and now the Denver Broncos.
This incident also brings back painful memories for the Broncos community. In 2007, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting after leaving a New Year’s Eve party hosted by then-Denver Nuggets star Kenyon Martin.
The Broncos organization, still grappling with Williams’ loss nearly two decades later, expressed deep concern for Reynolds’ well-being following this recent incident.