Armed man breaks into Colorado Supreme Court Building and takes a hostage
An armed man caused chaos when he burst into the Colorado Supreme Court building in downtown Denver early Tuesday morning, opening fire and taking a security guard hostage.
The suspect, Brandon Olsen, 44, was arrested by the Denver Police Department and Colorado State Patrol after he voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
Brandon Olsen, 44, is being held in the Denver jail on suspicion of robbery, burglary, and arson. (Picture/Denver Jail)
According to a press release from the Colorado State Patrol, the incident began at around 1:15 a.m. when the suspect was involved in a two-vehicle crash and pointed a handgun at the other driver. He then ran up to the court building and shoot out a window at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, which houses the state's highest court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and other legal and judicial agencies.
Upon entering the building, the suspect encountered an unarmed security guard and held them at gunpoint, demanding access to other parts of the building. He was able to obtain keys from the guard and gain access to multiple floors before reaching the 7th floor where he fired more shots.
Responding to the scene, officers from the Denver Police Department and Colorado State Patrol troopers set up a perimeter while the suspect made his way through the building.
No injuries were reported to the security guard, building occupants, the suspect, or law enforcement personnel during the ordeal.
The suspect was taken into custody after he made a 911 call and voluntarily surrendered to authorities. He was then transported to a local hospital for further examination by medical personnel.
This incident comes just months after the Colorado Supreme Court justices received a flurry of threats after they ruled that former President Donald Trump was ineligible to appear on the state's Republican primary ballot as a presidential candidate.
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In a statement released in December, the FBI confirmed that they were investigating the threats, stating that they will "pursue investigations of any threat or use of violence committed by someone who uses extremist views to justify their actions regardless of motivation."
As a result of the shooting, the state's highest court, composed of seven justices, remained closed on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the court declined to comment on the incident, causing concerns for the safety of not only the judges but also the public who rely on the court's services.
Olsen is being held on suspicion of robbery, burglary, and arson.