A pre-dawn crisis unfolded at the Colorado Supreme Court building in Denver, where a suspect was apprehended following a shooting spree and hostage situation.
In the early hours of Tuesday, an individual caused significant damage at the Colorado Supreme Court after a confrontation involving gunfire and a hostage incident.
The event began around 1:15 am following a two-vehicle collision at 13th Street and Lincoln. One of the drivers, armed with a firearm, confronted the other. This confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in the armed driver breaking into the Supreme Court building.
Upon entry, the suspect shot out a window on the building's east side. The Denver Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol released a joint statement describing the initial breach.
Inside the building, the suspect encountered a security guard. Using the guard as a hostage, the individual demanded access to further areas within the building. This led to the suspect obtaining keys and moving through multiple floors.
While inside, the armed individual made his way to the 7th floor, where additional shots were fired. Despite the alarming nature of the situation, authorities confirmed that no injuries occurred to occupants, the suspect, or police personnel during the ordeal.
Around 3 am, the suspect made the decision to surrender, initiating contact with authorities by calling 911. The suspect's voluntary surrender brought the tense situation to a close without further incident.
Following the surrender, the suspect was transported to a hospital before being taken into custody. The motivations behind the incident remain under investigation.
The aftermath revealed extensive damage to the Colorado Supreme Court building. Officials are currently assessing the full extent of the harm caused.
Authorities, including the Colorado State Patrol and the Denver Police Department, have stated that they are treating the situation with utmost seriousness. They also believe that this incident is not linked to previous threats against the Colorado Supreme Court justices.
Speculations about possible connections to recent controversies involving the state's Supreme Court have been downplayed by investigators. Prior to this incident, the court had been involved in a decision regarding the 2024 primary ballot, which had sparked heated discussions and threats.
The Chief of Colorado State Patrol, addressing the media, emphasized the gravity of the situation:
The CSP and DPD are treating this incident seriously, but at this time, it is believed that this is not associated with previous threats to the Colorado Supreme Court Justices.
As the community reels from the shock, authorities are urging calm and reassurance. They are committed to a thorough investigation to understand the underlying motives and ensure the safety of public institutions.
