Las Vegas car dealer donates to Colorado slaying victims

The owner of a car dealership in northwest Las Vegas is kicking in $50,000 to start a fund to help victims and responders in last week's theater massacre in Aurora, Colo.  

Ed Bozarth, who owns four other Chevrolet dealerships, including one in Aurora, said he and his wife decided Sunday night that they had to do something to give back to the hurting community that has given them so much. 

At a news conference Tuesday at his Aurora dealership, five miles from the movie theater where 12 people died and 58 others were injured, Bozarth presented a $30,000 check to Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, who accepted it on behalf of the victims and their families. 

The Bozarth family and business partners also presented $10,000 each to the city's fire and police departments, whom Bozarth commended for their "heroic job" responding to the tragedy Friday.

"We just thought it was the right thing to do to help the community and hopefully spur on some like-minded people to contribute," said Kent Bozarth, Ed Bozarth's son, who operates the Aurora store and another in nearby Park Meadow.  

The Bozarths hope Tuesday's news conference will galvanize others in Aurora and elsewhere to contribute. Any funds will go to help the victims of the shooting and their families.  

"It touches everyone that you deal with, in some way or another," Kent Bozarth said of the shooting. "It's all encompassing." 

Ed Bozarth opened his first dealership in Aurora almost 30 years ago. The Las Vegas location opened four years ago. He also owns dealerships in Grand Junction, Colo., and Topeka, Kan.

Donations can be made at www.edbozarth.com or by calling 877-819-0266.

In addition, checks can be made out to the Aurora Family Assistance Fund at 2001 S. Havana St., Aurora, Colo. 80014.