Denver Police say Michael Close fired at least 24 shots from a high powered semi-automatic rifle, killing 21-year-old Isabella Thallas on June 10 in the Ballpark neighborhood.

That was one of many new details released at Close’s preliminary hearing Monday morning. Denver Judge Lisa Teesch-Maguire found probable cause to bound Close over for trial on 15 counts, including first-degree murder.

Close is accused of shooting both Thallas and her boyfriend 27-year old Darian Simon, who was shot twice in his legs but survived.

Denver Police Homicide Detective Joseph Trujillo testified the shooting followed an exchange of angry words between Close and Simon after Simon’s dog defecated in a rock garden outside Close’s apartment complex at 3001 Fox St.

Simon and Thallas were walking their dog around 11:40 a.m. when Close opened his window and allegedly yelled “Are you going to train that f—ing dog or just yell at it?”

Prosecutors played neighborhood surveillance video in court that showed Close opening his blinds and pointing a high-powered rifle at the couple as Simon bent down to pick up his dog’s poop. Moments later Close can be seen firing 24 rounds at the couple, killing Thallas almost instantly.

Judge Teesch-Maguire ordered Close to continue to be held without bond and set his arraignment for Jan. 4.

Close faces charges for two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, nine counts of using a prohibited high-capacity magazine during a crime, two counts of prohibited use of a firearm and one count of disorderly conduct. He also faces four sentence enhancers for violent crime.

10 thoughts on “Man Kills Woman Over Argument About Her Dog”
  1. what a p.o.s killing that poor girl for absolutely nothing that is what is wrong with our world today..it’s just sad

  2. What happened to us – are we crazy? One man kills another because of what – because of the dog? A huge 25 year old man shoots a 5 year old child in the head, for what? – because he drove his little bike onto the lawn? What is happening – a pandemic or are we just losing our human face? People – come to your senses, remember that you are people!

  3. OMG, I’m lost for words and my eyes are full of tears. I can’t believe that humans can be so cruel, vile, and full of hatred and anger. Have we lost it totally? WHERE IS COMPASSION, LOVE, RESPECT FOR LIFE FOR EVERYTHING HUMAN, ANIMAL ETC. It scares me to think that someone dies because of a dog pooping .It made this monster so mad he shot her about 22 times and murdered her. What the hell? We better all get it together soon or we will be living hell on earth because of all the cruel and evil insanity.

    RIP poor Isabella. I didn’t know you but you were murdered for no reason so you and your family were robbed of all that you were to accomplish, to share to make the world a better place and now you are gone. It is so very sad and so extreme that this must stop now. Please think before you take any action because it affects more than just you. Neighbors, and friends of Michael Close must have seen that he was losing it and becoming so full of hatred and anger. They should have reported it to someone or authorities and he could have gotten help. NOW HE MUST GET THE SEVERE PUNIHSMENT HE DESERVES FOR WHAT HE DID TO A BEAUTIFUL 21 YEAR OLD WHO SHOULD BE WALKING HER DOG TODAY NOT KILLED BECAUSE OF IT.

    1. Public executions should be reinstated. I bet if the guilty got what they deserve, there would be far fewer death crimes. I know, I know, someone’s going to say violence causes violence. But this world needs SOMETHING to get people’s attention. This can’t continue to happen….

  4. A new mental illness referred to as “LEDS” “Leftist Extreme Democratic Syndrome”brought about by the mainstream media and the same political party that created the KKK and Planned Parenthood to terrorize people who were not aborted into voting democratic. Seriously…Look it up!
    Some things never change.

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