FBI joins Windsor cyclist fatal shooting investigation

Twenty-four hours after a cyclist was found shot and killed on a Weld County roadside, Windsor authorities announced the FBI was assisting in the investigation — an apparently unprecedented move for the agency and a somewhat unusual move in Northern Colorado.

The decision deepened the mystery and prompted more questions than answers in the town that continued to grieve after learning 48-year-old John Jacoby, a part-time caretaker with the town of Windsor, was fatally shot twice while riding his bicycle northbound on Weld County Road 15, north of Windsor.

"As far as our involvement, we are assisting in a law enforcement capacity and providing resources as needed. We cannot comment further as this is an ongoing, active investigation," FBI Special Agent Amy Sanders told the Coloradoan on Tuesday.

It was not made clear Tuesday whether Windsor police requested the help or whether federal investigators offered their assistance to the 22-officer department voluntarily.

Police continued to seek the public's help in identifying suspects or possible leads. In an effort to keep the investigation "pristine," Windsor Lt. Rich Higuera declined to discuss specifics about what leads, if any, have surfaced. He would not reveal information about what type of firearm was used in the shooting or the rounds that hit Jacoby.

"We're still working everything. We don't have anything we've excluded at this point," Higuera said Tuesday night. "We're just trying to get a little traction."

Northern Colorado sheriff's offices have been working with Windsor police.

However, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has not been asked to deploy additional resources, Deputy Director Chris Andrist said. CBI regularly assists law enforcement with homicide investigations, crime scene and forensic analysis. The Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory, south of Windsor, houses a multi-agency evidence processing facility in conjunction with CBI.

Higuera downplayed the role of bringing in the FBI so early in the investigation. He said officers routinely train with federal investigators and he lauded the inter-agency cooperation.

Sanders highlighted the different levels of federal involvement in cases like this. At this point, investigators are assisting, meaning following up with leads and helping the small community's department as needed. A joint investigation happens when agencies split responsibilities, and occasionally the FBI will take over a probe.

The FBI employs among the most highly skilled crime scene analysts and is often called in for major investigations across the country. Agents are also trained in developing better suspect profiles and has more intensive databases they can search.

The last time the FBI was involved in a Weld County investigation was in 2010 when 12-year-old Kayleah Wilson disappeared while on the way to a friend's birthday party in Greeley. Her body was found in a Greeley irrigation ditch, and authorities determined she was murdered. Her killer has never been identified.

Jacoby's body was located by a passing motorist about 10 a.m. Monday, Windsor police said previously. Police would not say where on his body Jacoby was shot. It remains unclear exactly how long he had been lying in the road.

The area is north of a series of residential developments — the nearest residence is about one-half mile away. The narrow road has neither a bike lane nor shoulder — a bike lane starts several hundred yards to the north.

Investigators worked into Monday evening and again on Tuesday searching for evidence that may have been hidden in the tall grasses and ditches that immediately drop off both sides of the road. Law enforcement returned to the area Tuesday afternoon to conduct another search.

Higuera on Monday reiterated the agency was not discounting out any possibilities about the incident, including whether this case is related to the shooting of the 20-year-old Milliken woman, who was shot in the neck while traveling on Interstate 25 near Windsor last month.

Monday's homicide happened about four miles east of that shooting location.

"We haven't rule anything out, but we haven't established anything either," he said.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is handling the I-25 shooting investigation. The agency has not released ballistic information from the incident, saying only that it is the single confirmed shooting despite a spate of shattered vehicle windows reported in the days after the April 22 attack.

"We are still maintaining our heightened patrols on the interstate," LCSO spokesman David Moore said Tuesday. "We are also cooperating and sharing information with the Windsor Police Department."

Higuera said town officials will release any new information daily. Additional information was not released Tuesday other than to announce the FBI had become involved.

Sept. 29, 2007, marked the last homicide in Windsor. The Weld County district attorney cleared Windsor Police Chief John Michaels in the shooting death of 68-year-old Ed Cavaliere of Windsor, who shot at officers who contacted him after he took candy from a grocery store.

The Windsor Police Department is asking residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Windsor police at 970-674-6400. Residents can also submit tips on this crime to the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or text messaging "NOCO" plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).

Reporter Jason Pohl covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.