PHOENIX — It's been one year since a beloved high school track coach and teacher in Phoenix was violently murdered. His family still doesn't know who is responsible.
On Saturday night near 12th Street and Maryland Avenue where 30-year-old David Denogean was murdered, friends and loved ones gathered to remember him. This marked one year since his life was tragically taken in a senseless act of violence.
“Nobody deserves that,” Frank Denogean, David's father said.
David's family and dozens of others walked the same path he did the night he was killed. Leading up to the location where Phoenix Police said the deadly shooting took place.
“Right from where we are standing is where [David] took his last breath,” Frank said.
Last November, police said David was walking with his dog when security camera footage from that night showed a man run in front of David, pull out a gun, and shoot him. The person responsible ran away from the scene and is still being searched for by police to this day.
Frank said they knew something was wrong when the dog was found outside David's home without him.
This is an unimaginable heartbreak that Frank said cannot be healed by time.
“It’s a lifelong thing," Frank said. "The wound might close up but there is always going to be a scar.”
David was a teacher and track coach at Camelback High School in Phoenix. His co-worker and fellow track coach, Toni Anderson, was at Saturday night's vigil. She said he was adored and admired by the students he mentored.
“He had an incredible gift for being able to connect with people and make them feel seen, heard and appreciated,” Anderson said.
At this time police said no suspects have been identified and the case is still under investigation. A nearly $10,000 reward has been offered for any information that will lead to an arrest. The Denogean family has also started a GoFundMe to increase that award amount, hoping it will lead to someone coming forward.
“We don't want it to go cold," Frank said. "We need to bring this person to justice.”
While he knows it won't bring David back, it could bring them a sense of peace following a tragedy no one should have to go through.
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