Man with weapon arrested for breaking into Colorado Supreme Court

By Better Today On Jan 2, 2024

TL/DR –

An individual named Olsen broke into a judicial center in Colorado, causing extensive damage but no injuries. The break-in, which authorities stated is unrelated to previous threats to the Colorado Supreme Court, resulted after Olsen crashed his car and fled the scene on foot, shooting out a window to enter the judicial center. Olsen reportedly held a security guard at gunpoint, obtained keys to various areas of the building, set off a fire, and fired additional shots before calling 911 and voluntarily surrendering to the police.

Olsen’s Mysterious Break-In and What Follows

Olsen, responsible for significant damage to the building, left no one injured. The number of people present at the time of the incident remains undisclosed. The Colorado judicial center, also housing the Colorado Court of Appeals, was shut down for investigation on Tuesday.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and the Denver Police Department (DPD) believe it’s unrelated to earlier threats towards the Colorado Supreme Court justices. Investigation into death threats against justices, following their decision to block ex-president Donald Trump from Colorado’s 2024 GOP primary ballot, continues by federal and local law enforcement agencies.

Event Recap and Subsequent Actions

The incident commenced post a car crash near the judicial center around 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday. After two cars collided at the 13th Avenue and Lincoln Street intersection, Olsen fled the scene with a handgun. He shot a window, entered the judicial center, and fired more shots with the Denver police encircling the building.

An unarmed Colorado State Patrol Capitol Security Unit guard found Olsen breaking into a storage room. Olsen held the guard at gunpoint, took his keys, and proceeded to explore other parts of the building. On reaching the seventh floor, Olsen fired more shots and ignited a fire, triggering the fire alarm.

At 3 a.m., Olsen called 911 and voluntarily surrendered to the police outside the building. He was taken to the Denver Health Medical Center and later moved to Denver Police headquarters post-health clearance. The purpose of his medical treatment remains undisclosed. DPD is assessing the building’s damage extent, and the Denver District Attorney’s Office has yet to press charges against Olsen.