David Denagen, 30, a teacher and coach, died Friday, Nov. 25, after he was shot while walking his dog in Phoenix, Arizona police said.
Screenshot from KNXV video
Jordan Barajas immediately knew something was up when her dog returned to her home in Arizona without her boyfriend, who had taken her out for a walk.
“My dog was just standing there and the gate was open and she was off leash and off leash and I was immediately concerned,” Barajas told KPNX. “I saw the lights flashing outside and started walking as fast as I could.”
Her boyfriend, 30-year-old David Denagen, was shot and killed on Friday, Nov. 25, while walking a dog around 6 p.m. in Phoenix, police told KNXV. The attacker fled, the police do not know what happened.
Denajen was a visiting teacher and track coach at Camelback High School in Phoenix, KPNX reported.
“He loved everything about life,” his father, Frank Denogian, told KSAZ.
“He was a teacher every day, and he loved his students, and he loved Camelback,” his father told KPNX.
“David is just a big teddy bear,” friend Chad Dunn told KNXV. “Every time I think about David, I just think about how I always want to give a big hug and just be the nicest man in the room.”
“The Phoenix Union and Camelback communities extend our deepest condolences to the family of guest teacher and coach David Denagin,” Phoenix Union High School District said in a statement to KSAZ. “We will provide the support our staff and students need at this time of loss.”
The family urged anyone with information to contact police or an anonymous tip.
“Please help us. David didn’t deserve to go out like this. He was only 30 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him,” his mother, Judy Denajen, told KSAZ.
Police are asking anyone with information to leave an anonymous tip at 480-948-6377.