LOVELAND — A depiction of a vehicle of interest was released Tuesday afternoon in the investigation of two shootings — one fatal — in Loveland in early June.

In a press conference, task force spokesperson David Moore said a person reported to investigators a week ago that they were shot at the night Loveland resident William Connole was killed.

“A person recently reported to the task force they were shot at the night of June 3, 2015, in the area of Denver Avenue and East Eisenhower Boulevard in Loveland,” he said. “That is approximately two miles from East First Street and St. Louis Avenue where Mr. William Connole was shot during the late evening hours that same night. The person shot at was not injured.”

Moore said the witness reported seeing a 1970s model, full-size, single cab Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck. The pickup truck is one color, faded orange, and has black primer on the driver’s side body.

Task force investigators have been able to develop what they believe to be a sketch of the vehicle in question based on several interviews and canvasses with the new witness. Investigators believe it is likely these two Loveland incidents are related and they are seeking information about this vehicle of interest.

However, no formal link between two previously connected Northern Colorado shootings and the Loveland shootings has been established.

“If you see this vehicle moving and/or occupied, please immediately call 911, so local law enforcement can respond and follow all the directions of the emergency dispatcher,” Moore said. “If you can do so safely, please gather as much information about the vehicle to include license plate state and number, distinguishing characteristics of the vehicle, description of the occupant(s) and/or a photograph.”

People with information regarding any of these four shootings is asked to call the task force’s tip line at 498-5595 or email taskforce@larimer.org.

Moore said investigators know more about the shooting cases than what they can release to the public.

Recent Shootings

Three recent shootings in Northern Colorado have left members of the public concerned about their safety and investigators looking for links between the cases.

The first shooting was that of 20-year-old Milliken woman Cori Romero on the evening of April 22. She was driving southbound on Interstate 25, east of Fort Collins, at night when she suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Romero had surgery that night and survived.

The second shooting, on the morning of May 18, was that of 48-year-old city of Windsor employee John Jacoby, who was riding his bike on Weld County Road 15 when he was shot twice and was found dead on the side of the road.

The two shootings were officially linked on May 28; the task force was established at the same time.

The third shooting occurred on June 3 when 65-year-old Connole was shot and killed while walking downtown late at night.

An attempted shooting was reported about a week ago to authorities that occurred the same night as Connole’s death, but no injuries were sustained.

Task Force Working

The Northern Colorado task force, now headquartered in Loveland, is a collaboration between the Windsor Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Larimer County District Attorney’s Office, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Weld County District Attorney’s Office and Loveland Police Department.

After the Loveland shooting occurred, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer David Moore was designated as the task force’s spokesperson.

The 24-hour investigative operation is asking for help from the public. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked call 970-498-5595 and may remain anonymous or email taskforce@larimer.org.

FBI Offers Reward

FBI officials have doubled the agency’s initial reward offering after the third shooting in Loveland.

Officials are now offering $20,000 for information leading to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the person or people responsible in the shootings.

Shattered Windows Reported

It was also released that a group within the task force has been assigned to investigate the numerous reports of vehicle windows that shattered while driving.

The shattered window incidents and the three shootings have not officially been connected.

However, officials say they believe these reports are coming in now more frequently because of a heightened sense of awareness and that the shattered windows are most likely being caused by road debris.

“To date, we have found no solid evidence that any of these incidents are related to our shootings,” a letter from the task force stated.

Capt. Robert Coleman, the task force’s commander, has assigned a unit within the investigating team to continue to respond to incoming reports of shattered vehicle windows in the area.

Dana Rieck: 970-635-3630, rieckd@reporter-herald.com or twitter.com/DanaRieckRH