PUEBLO, Colo. — A tense Saturday evening argument at the Days Inn on North Elizabeth Street turned deadly, leaving 39‑year‑old Joshua Charles Herbert shot and killed and a 63‑year‑old man now facing serious charges.
Witnesses said loud voices spilled out from the entrance of a first‑floor hotel room just after 6:30 p.m. on February 7. People nearby heard shouting and saw a heated dispute before gunfire erupted. When police and emergency crews arrived, they found Herbert with fatal wounds. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed this tragedy marks Pueblo’s first homicide of 2026, underscoring a jarring start to the year for a community that had not yet seen a killing at this point last year.
Police quickly took James McKenney, 63, into custody and charged him with first‑degree murder in connection with Herbert’s death. Officials have not detailed what triggered the argument at the hotel, nor have they shared a clear timeline of how events unfolded before the shooting.
Some witnesses told local outlets they removed family members from the area when they heard the disturbance, only to return later to a heavy police presence. One witness mentioned a security guard was trying to calm the situation when the shots were fired, though police have not confirmed that detail.
The Pueblo County Coroner’s office officially identified Herbert and said autopsy results are pending to confirm the exact cause and manner of death. McKenney’s arrest came early Monday morning after investigators worked through the weekend following the shooting.
Investigators are still asking anyone with additional information to come forward and speak with Pueblo Police as the case remains under active investigation.
