Parker, CO: Mother shot and killed in parking lot, ex-husband later found dead

PARKER - Police say a woman was shot and killed in a fast-food parking lot on Tuesday night, and her ex-husband was found dead a short time later.

Parker Police say the incident happened in the McDonald's parking lot at South Parker Road and Main Street in Parker at 5:06 p.m. They say the woman had been shot and was taken to a local hospital where she died of her injuries. Her name has not been released.

Christina Castello, 15, was with her boyfriend when she heard the gunshots. She ran to help the woman but knew it was too late.

"I was holding her head. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to think, I didn't know what to do. This woman is laying there. I can't help her. I held her head as she was like dying and her three kids came out and saw it," Castello said.

Police were looking for Mark Royer, the ex-husband of the victim, as a person of interest in this case. Royer, 53, was last seen driving a brown 2005 Ford F-150 extended cab with dark tinted windows.

The truck was found in a field near South Parker Road and Bayou Gulch in unincorporated Douglas County a short time later. Royer's body was found in the open space near his truck. Police believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.

Court records show Royer divorced his wife Donna Marie Royer in 2010, and she filed a restraining order for domestic violence against him in April 2011. A Facebook page has been created in memory of Donna Royer. Police have not confirmed the identity of the victim.

Mark Royer is also listed as president of a local church at a home he shared with his wife.

Sgt. Doreen Jokerst says the victim's two daughters were inside the McDonald's when the shooting happened outside in the parking lot near a snow bank. The children were not injured and are in police custody.

Police originally reported there were three children.

"The kids were not outside when the shooting took place," Jokerst said. "This is such a tragic incident to happen at any time, especially during the holiday season, especially when kids are involved."