DENVER, CO - Early on Tuesday morning, an armed man broke into the Colorado Supreme Court building in Denver opening fire and ultimately holding an unarmed guard at gunpoint before surrendering peacefully to police, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Although the FBI told WDSU that it is working with Colorado law enforcement to investigate reports of violent threats against Justices of the Colorado Supreme Court, state authorities told USA Today that a preliminary investigation has concluded the suspect's actions were "likely not related to the reported threats made against justices after the state disqualified former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary election."
The State Patrol explained that the incident started with a two-car collision that occurred outside of the building at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time. One of the drivers reportedly pointed a firearm at the other driver before turning the weapon on the Supreme Court building and shooting a window. He then entered the building and encountered an unarmed security guard.
Denver7 reported that an officer investigating the scene discovered that a fire had occurred in the stairwell of the building, however, the sprinkler system successfully extinguished it according to Lt. JD Chism with the Denver Fire Department. The damage to the building was described as "significant and extensive" according to the CSP.
The entire incident lasted just under two hours and the suspect's motives are still under investigation. After the man was arrested, he was assessed by medical personnel at an area hospital and cleared. He is currently in custody.
"At approximately 3:00 a.m., the suspect called 911 and voluntarily surrendered to police," Colorado State Patrol said. "He was placed in custody without further incident. There are no injuries to building occupants, the suspect, or police personnel."
According to NBC News, A Supreme Court spokesman declined to comment on the incident.
Although the FBI told WDSU that it is working with Colorado law enforcement to investigate reports of violent threats against Justices of the Colorado Supreme Court, state authorities told USA Today that a preliminary investigation has concluded the suspect's actions were "likely not related to the reported threats made against justices after the state disqualified former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential primary election."
The State Patrol explained that the incident started with a two-car collision that occurred outside of the building at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time. One of the drivers reportedly pointed a firearm at the other driver before turning the weapon on the Supreme Court building and shooting a window. He then entered the building and encountered an unarmed security guard.
"The individual held the security guard at gunpoint and demanded access to other parts of the building," CSP said in a statement "The individual obtained keys from the security guard and proceeded into other parts of the building and accessed an unknown number of floors."
State Patrol Troopers and the Denver Police Department (DPD) responded to the scene and established a perimeter with DPD taking the lead. The suspect reportedly moved to the building's seventh floor and fired several shots at police before dialing 911 and voluntarily surrendering. Veronica Acosta of Denver7 News reported that the responding officers did not return fire.
Denver7 reported that an officer investigating the scene discovered that a fire had occurred in the stairwell of the building, however, the sprinkler system successfully extinguished it according to Lt. JD Chism with the Denver Fire Department. The damage to the building was described as "significant and extensive" according to the CSP.
The entire incident lasted just under two hours and the suspect's motives are still under investigation. After the man was arrested, he was assessed by medical personnel at an area hospital and cleared. He is currently in custody.
"At approximately 3:00 a.m., the suspect called 911 and voluntarily surrendered to police," Colorado State Patrol said. "He was placed in custody without further incident. There are no injuries to building occupants, the suspect, or police personnel."
According to NBC News, A Supreme Court spokesman declined to comment on the incident.
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