Aurora Man Arrested Suspected of Shooting Common-Law Wife

Phil Jay Atchue, a 60-year-old man from Aurora, Colorado, was arrested on first-degree murder charges after he called 911 to report that he had fatally shot his common-law wife in their apartment. The shooting occurred at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, but Atchue did not report the incident until approximately 38 hours later, around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday. Police found the 61-year-old woman deceased from apparent gunshot wounds and recovered a firearm at the scene in the 900 block of South Ivory Circle. Atchue was located at a nearby bus stop when officers arrived and was taken into custody. The victim's identity has not been released pending family notification and autopsy, and the case is being processed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and Atchue is scheduled to appear in court.