Three people were shot during an attempted robbery in Aurora (credit: CBS)

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)– Police in Aurora investigated a triple shooting during a robbery attempt that left one person dead, one critical and another with gunshot wounds.

“There is the potential that there are three juveniles in this community who have been shot,” said Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler.

Officers rushed to 431 S. Kalispell Way on reports of a shooting just before 11 p.m. Friday. When they arrived at the Bayberry condominiums off Alameda and South Kalispell Way, officers found two males with gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to the hospital.

“We were upstairs, actually, and that’s when we heard the gunshots going off,” said Megan Manguso, who was at home less than a block away when she the shots rang out. “I was like, I’m staying inside.”

Police confirmed that one of the males died at the hospital and the other was treated for critical injuries. Another male suffered non-life threatening injuries in the shooting.

Police say three white males in their 20s were moving into an apartment building when they were approached by three black males between the ages of 16-20 in the foyer of the apartment building. Those males demanded their money at gunpoint.

“Two of the movers started to hand over their money, the third mover who was in fear for his safety of his friends, pulled out his weapon,” said Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz.

During the alleged robbery, the third male who was with the moving party, grabbed a firearm and shot towards the robbery suspects. Police say he shot each one of them.

One of the suspects died, another was wounded and was in serious condition on Saturday afternoon, and the third male walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He is expected to survive and was taken into custody on unrelated charges.

The suspects have not been identified. The man who fired the shots has not arrested or charged. Police say he was questioned and released.

“I don’t think we would call this necessarily a make-my-day issue. This is a straight up regular common sense statutorily codified self defense,” said Brauchler.