In a startling turn of events, downtown Denver witnessed a bizarre and violent intrusion at the Colorado Supreme Court building. The perpetrator, involved in a car accident near the site around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, escalated the situation by opening fire and forcibly entering the building.
Upon leaving the scene of the accident, the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, confronted another driver at gunpoint before shattering a window to gain access to the Supreme Court facility. Once inside, he encountered an unarmed security guard, from whom he seized a key, allowing him further entry into the building. His rampage continued up to the seventh floor, where he discharged more rounds before contacting authorities at 3 a.m.
This intrusion led to considerable damage within the building, but fortunately, no injuries were reported among the public or law enforcement personnel. The gunman eventually surrendered to the police willingly.
Authorities were quick to clarify that this incident appears unconnected to the Colorado Supreme Court’s recent contentious decision, which ruled 4-3 last month to bar former President Donald Trump from the ballot under a constitutional provision related to insurrection. This ruling has since become a source of threats against the justices, yet Tuesday’s attack seems to be an isolated occurrence, unrelated to these prior threats.
The Colorado State Patrol and Denver Police Department, who are jointly investigating this incident, emphasized the seriousness with which they are treating this matter. However, they reiterated their belief that it was not linked to the threats against the court justices.
The aftermath of this intrusion was visible hours later, with a shattered window and scattered glass marking the scene of the breach. A state patrol trooper stood guard by the damaged area, highlighting the ongoing investigation and the heightened security measures following the incident.