Colorado Mom, Teen Daughter Gunned Down By Ex Who Later Killed Himself

A Colorado man gunned down his former girlfriend and her teenage daughter at their home late last week before fleeing and, eventually, turning the gun on himself, police said.

Javier Acevedo, 49, shot and killed 41-year-old Lindsay E. Daum and her 16-year-old daughter Meadow L. Sinner on Thursday, according to the Loveland Police Department. Four other minors were at the home when Acevedo opened fire.

Officers responded to a home near the intersection of Aries Drive and Pavo Court in Loveland, Colorado around 2:30 p.m. on July 28, after a 12-year-old child dialed 911 and reported his mother had been shot. A second caller — a 14-year-old child who was also at the home — also called emergency dispatchers.

Upon arrival, authorities first found the 14-year-old caller and Sinner — who was suffering from gunshot wounds — in the entryway of the home. Lifesaving measures were initiated on the 16-year-old but were ultimately unsuccessful. 

Police arriving at the rear of the home located a 2-year-old child in the home’s backyard. 

"One of the officers made contact with the 2-year old and then jumped the fence to secure the child while the other officer provided cover,” the Loveland Police Department said in a statement. “The child was then handed over to an awaiting Sergeant, and was safely removed."

Another 5-year-old child was discovered at the top of a stairway in the home’s upstairs level. A SWAT team rescued the 12-year-old who initially called 911 from a basement bedroom closet. That child advised law enforcement that the shooter, identified as Acevedo, might still be in the home.

Acevedo is Daum’s ex-boyfriend, Denver television station KUSA reported. The family's GoFundMe says Daum leaves behind four children under the age of 14.

Investigators then found Daum’s body after conducting a full sweep of the property. She’d also been shot to death.

After securing the crime scene, authorities determined that Acevedo had fled the residence in a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Loveland Police, however, later traced his cell phone signal to Erie, Colorado — about 25 miles south of the scene of the double murder.

Multiple law enforcement agencies descended on the area looking for the suspect. Shortly after, an Erie resident reported to police that they had seen Acevedo, and that he was carrying a long gun. A Denver Police helicopter ultimately located Acevedo and confirmed that he had a firearm and was pointing it at himself.

At 5:13 p.m., the air unit reported Acevedo had shot himself and collapsed. A SWAT team reached his location shortly thereafter and confirmed he had self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was declared dead at the scene.

No further information was available regarding the open case this week. Oxygen.com has reached out to the Loveland Police Department for comment. 

Two separate women had previously filed protective orders against Acevedo, according to Denver ABC affiliate KMGH-TV. In June, a permanent restraining order was issued at the request of one of the victims. Five children were listed on the court orders, the outlet reported.

Acevedo also has a lengthy criminal record, including several arrests on charges for child sexual assault, child abuse and narcotics offenses.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Daum’s family to help cover funeral expenses and support her surviving four children in the aftermath of the mother and daughter's slayings. 

“She loved being a mom more than anything else in the world,” the fundraiser said of Daum.

The crowdfunding campaign described Meadow Sinner as a “brave,” “beautiful and vibrant soul” who will be remembered as a “community builder.” The 16-year-old was active in Colorado Youth Congress, according to the online fundraiser.