ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — A former truck driver has been convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the 2022 shooting death of a woman who was throwing rocks at his big rig.
According to a news release from the Arapahoe District Attorney’s Office, following a four-day jury trial, John David Thoren III, 44, was convicted on Friday, April 12.
The case began in the overnight hours of Oct. 28, 2022, according to court documents.
Thoren was sleeping in his semi-truck at a Boot Barn parking lot on S. Parker Road, when, at around 2:30 a.m., he said he awoke to an unknown woman throwing rocks at the driver side of his truck.
According to Thoren, he told the woman to stop and then showed a gun. He told police that he cracked open the door and told her that if she didn’t stop throwing rocks, she would be shot.
The woman, identified as Rachel Holmes, 46, was shot with a 9mm gun and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Thoren called 911 to report the shooting, but he did not render aid.
When questioned by investigators, he said he was scared for his safety and admitted to shooting the victim. Meanwhile, officers found minimal evidence of damage to the defendant’s semi-truck.
“Instead of driving to a safe location or calling 911 to report someone throwing rocks at his truck, the defendant decided to take matters into his own hands by confronting the woman with a gun and pulling the trigger,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Mauro said. “Based on the facts of this case, deadly use of force was not justified.”
In addition to second-degree murder, Thoren was also convicted of use of a weapon/violent crime.
“While citizens have the right to bear arms and protect themselves from imminent danger, the evidence doesn’t support this defendant’s claims that his life was in danger,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “Jurors recognized this was not a case of self-defense.”
Thoren will be back in court for sentencing on July 22.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
I’m texting about the truck driver who lost his life in a tragic explosion when his truck went off the freeway. it is very sad. I am praying for the family, friends, the fellow employees, and the owners of the truck company. My prayer is that God gives you strength during this time. Rose Preston, Attalla, AL
Let’s pray for his family,parents
Glad he took matters in his own hand , yea, he’s paying the price, but that’s the way it is – if he would have got out and thrown rocks back or something he would have still gotten in trouble . There is no law anymore . Especially for a truck driver in need . This is tragic for the woman, but people get fed up with this stuff .
His mistake was calling the cops to report it.
Justified, protecting one’s property.
One CANNOT use deadly force to protect property. , only life. The truck was probably the safest place to be at 2:00. Maybe he should have been in a truck stop. If you ever bothered to actually take a firearms course. You would have known that. Too late now.
apparently, Ed hasn’t realized there’s a parking crisis for truckers. no one knows what state of mind that woman was in. who in their right mind would throw rocks at a semi at 2am? I don’t think he intended to kill her just wound her. I hope judge goes easy on him
The nice lady who started this mess ended up dead… maybe if she wasn’t whacked out of her gourd on ??? who knows what, she wouldn’t be out throwing rocks at a semi truck at 2:00 am. Sadly, the driver didn’t call 9-1-1 immediately and let the cops deal with her. I understand his mindset, and don’t blame him for being angry and reacting, but sadly HE will be the one who pays – probably with a few years in prison, for the actions of this dingbat lady. No winners in this one. 🙁