DENVER — The shooting death of a bicyclist considered the unofficial mayor of a Colorado town has led organizers to cancel a popular annual race. It was Windsor's first homicide in eight years.
John Jacoby's body was found Monday along a rural road in the town of about 19,000, southeast of Fort Collins. The 48-year-old was a part-time parks worker and friendly grocery store bagger who walked or rode his bike everywhere.
His brother, a fire department EMT, was among those who responded to what authorities initially thought was a fatal hit-and-run. Police later disclosed Jacoby was shot twice, but they have not said where he was shot or what type of gun was used.
Investigators said this week they're looking at all possibilities, including whether the killing involved road rage or if it was connected to the April 22 shooting of Cori Romero about 5 miles away on Interstate 25.
Romero was shot in the neck while driving but managed to pull over and call for help.
On Wednesday, town spokeswoman Kelly Unger said only that the investigation is ongoing and there was no new information to release. The FBI has been assisting in the case.
The organizer of the Pelican Fest Triathlon, Dennis Vanderheiden, called off Saturday's race in Windsor because of safety concerns and to ensure police can concentrate on the investigation.
In an online memory book for Jacoby, customers recalled how he would always smile, talk about town happenings and help load groceries. "He was a wonderful human being and will be in my heart as a role model of how to spread kindness forever," one of them wrote.