GOLDEN, Colo. (Feb. 3, 2026) – Last week, the second juvenile responsible for the 2022 fire at the Tiffany Square Apartments in Lakewood, which killed two people and injured many others, pled guilty and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of seven years in the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services (DYS), bringing a lengthy court process to a close.
On January 29, 2026, the now 15-year-old juvenile pled guilty to the following charges:
- Count 1: Murder in the First Degree (F1)
- Count 2: Murder in the First Degree (F1)
- Count 59: Aggravated Juvenile Offender (SE)
- Count 60: Aggravated Juvenile Offender (SE)
- Added Count 101: Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder in the First Degree (F2), naming all victims from the attempted murder counts
- Added Count 102: First Degree Arson (F3), naming all victims from the arson
As a result of the plea, the juvenile was adjudicated an Aggravated Juvenile Offender. The parties stipulated to the maximum sentence of seven years in DYS, with two years of presentence confinement credit.
The final disposition followed a lengthy competency process that began in January 2023.
At sentencing, victims and their families again filled the courtroom, many wearing pink and purple, Jazmine’s favorite colors. In a statement, the parents and grandparents of Kathleen and Jazmine said, “We will never stop grieving the loss of our beloved girls, Katie and Jazzy.”
In imposing the stipulated sentence, the court noted the juvenile’s young age and the devastating consequences of the decision to start the fire. The court also recognized the heroic actions of Kathleen Payton, who attempted to protect her daughter as her final act as a mother.
Statement from Deputy District Attorney Riley Gonya:
“Today’s sentence brings a measure of justice for the many members of our community impacted by this senseless fire. While nothing can restore the lives lost, the homes destroyed, or the sense of safety that was shattered, we hope this outcome provides a sense of closure and allows everyone involved to finally begin the long process of healing.”
Factual Background
The deadly fire occurred in the early morning hours of October 31, 2022, at the Tiffany Square Apartments, located at 935 Sheridan Boulevard in Lakewood. Ten people were injured, and two victims died: 31-year-old Kathleen Payton and her 10-year-old daughter, Jazmine Payton-Aguayo. All residents of the 32-unit complex were displaced.
In the hours leading up to the fire, two juveniles, ages 14 and 12 at the time, were asked to leave a friend’s apartment within the Tiffany Square Apartments complex. The juveniles later returned just before 4 a.m. and set fire to bushes outside the apartment.
The fire spread rapidly to the wooden walkway above, ultimately engulfing the entire complex. Kathleen Payton and Jazmine Payton-Aguayo were trapped inside their apartment and died from carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation.
Lakewood Police investigators obtained surveillance footage showing the juveniles setting the fire and then running to an adjacent building to watch it grow before fleeing the scene via public transit. Both juveniles were later located and arrested and have remained in custody since.
In November 2023, the juvenile co-defendant pled guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to seven years in DYS with 113 days of presentence confinement credit. See press release.
Names are not being released due to their ages. This is the full extent of information that will be released, pursuant to 19-1-304 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
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