Driver shoots themselves in the leg before crashing into restaurant on Federal Boulevard, police say

DENVER — A driver shot themselves in the leg before crashing into a restaurant along Federal Boulevard overnight Friday, according to the Denver Police Department.

The Denver Fire Department posted on X, formerly Twitter, that it was responding to a collapse near West Virginia Avenue and Federal Boulevard in the city’s Athmar Park neighborhood just after midnight.

Roughly five minutes later, Denver PD posted to social media that it was responding to a shooting in the 400 block of South Federal. The department confirmed to Denver7 that the shooting and crash were connected.

According to Denver police, a driver shot themselves in the leg and crashed into the Tarasco’s restaurant. The crash ruptured a gas line, leading “free flowing” gas in the area, according to Denver Fire.

The driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and Xcel Energy crews were able to shut off the gas.

Northbound Federal Boulevard was shut down as firefighters shored up the building.

Denver FD responds to building ‘collapse,’ broken gas line near W. Virginia Ave.