Victor Salazar-Guarache, a 27-year-old Colorado man, has admitted to the fatal shooting of one co-worker and the injury of another in the parking lot of their shared workplace, Topgolf. The incident, which took place in December 2023, saw Salazar-Guarache laugh as he fled the scene of the crime. On Thursday, he entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. The plea deal includes a 48-year prison sentence.
The victims of the shooting were 22-year-old Bryce Holden, who lost his life, and a manager at Topgolf who was injured. The events leading up to the shooting began when Salazar-Guarache, a dishwasher at the Thornton Topgolf, left work early. The reason for his early departure remains unclear.
According to police, Salazar-Guarache was absent for approximately an hour, leaving before his shift ended at 11:42 p.m. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him leaving the premises in his vehicle. He returned around 12:50 a.m., coinciding with the end of other employees’ shifts, including Holden and the kitchen manager.
Police reports indicate that Salazar-Guarache was already parked when Holden and the manager exited the building. He then allegedly exited his vehicle, assumed a shooting position, and opened fire on the two men. Holden was hit multiple times and fell, while the manager managed to escape unharmed by running back into the building. Salazar-Guarache reportedly continued to fire at Holden even after he was down, discharging a total of 12 rounds before fleeing the scene.
A Lyft driver, who was at the Topgolf to pick up a passenger at the time of the shooting, witnessed the incident and reported seeing Salazar-Guarache laughing as he returned to his car. Holden was taken to a hospital where he later died. Salazar-Guarache was apprehended a few hours later on Interstate 25.
Holden’s family is devastated by the loss. His father, Rod Holden, described him as a jovial young man who was teaching himself Spanish with plans to move to Barcelona within two years. Topgolf released a statement expressing their shock and grief over the incident, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement and support for their team during this difficult time.
Salazar-Guarache’s sentencing is scheduled for October 11. He remains in police custody with bail set at $2 million.