A suspect was arrested after allegedly shooting out a window at the Colorado Supreme Court building, pointing a gun at an armed security guard and roaming the building for nearly two hours before surrendering early Tuesday, authorities said.
The timing comes on the heels of the state's high court's controversial ruling that former President Trump should be excluded from the 2024 Republican primary. The Colorado State Patrol said in a statement that a preliminary investigation “confirms that the incident is likely not related to recent threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Denver Police Department, which is leading the investigation into Tuesday's incident, for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
The incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday when a two-vehicle crash occurred at 13th Street and Lincoln in Denver, authorities said.
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Police tape surrounds the area where a man broke into the Colorado Supreme Court building and barricaded himself overnight in Denver on January 2, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Mohat)
One of the people involved reportedly pointed a handgun at the other driver, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
“Shortly thereafter, the same individual fired a gun from the east window of the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Justice Center, 2 East 14th Street, Denver, Colorado,” the agency said in a press release. “The individual entered the building and made contact with unarmed members of the Colorado State Patrol Capitol Police Guard.”
“The individual pointed a gun at the security guard and demanded access to other parts of the building,” the Colorado State Patrol said. “The individual obtained a key from the security guard and proceeded to other parts of the building, gaining access to an unknown number of floors. Denver Police Department (DPD) officers and Colorado State Patrol troopers responded to the scene. We've set up a perimeter.'' The suspect then headed to the seventh floor and fired more shots inside the building. ”
Shards of glass are seen falling from a broken window at the Colorado Supreme Court building after a man broke in and barricaded himself overnight in Denver on January 2, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Mohat)
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According to the State Patrol, the suspect called 911 around 3 a.m. and surrendered to police.
“He was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries to the occupants of the building, the suspect, or law enforcement personnel,” the statement said. “The suspect was transported to a local hospital for evaluation by medical personnel. There was significant and extensive damage to the building and the investigation continues.”
Police tape off a broken window at the Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Denver. Authorities said the man caused “significant damage” to the building. (AP Photo/Colleen Slevin)
“While CSP and DPD are treating this incident seriously, at this time it is not believed to be related to previous threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices,” the State Patrol added.
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The identity of the detained individual was not immediately released, and it is unclear what charges he will face.
