Armed Intruder Arrested After Break-In and Arson at Colorado Supreme Court Building
In a shocking incident, a 44-year-old man was apprehended on Tuesday after breaking into the Colorado Supreme Court building in Denver, armed with a handgun, and subsequently starting a fire in a stairwell, according to the Denver Police Department.
The suspect, identified as Brandon Olsen, now faces charges of arson, robbery, and burglary. The events unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. when Olsen allegedly fled the scene of a car crash, proceeded to break into the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in downtown Denver, and fired shots after breaking a window.
According to police reports, Olsen confronted an unarmed security guard, held them at gunpoint, and seized keys, allowing him access to the building's seventh floor. Once there, he discharged additional shots and ignited a fire in a stairwell. Fortunately, the building's sprinkler system quickly extinguished the flames.
Olsen voluntarily surrendered to the police without incident at around 3 a.m., as confirmed by the Denver Police Department.
Although Olsen was taken to the hospital and medically cleared, no injuries were reported, as stated by the Colorado State Patrol.
It remains unclear whether the suspect has legal representation to provide a statement in his defense. The motive behind the break-in remains unknown. However, authorities have all but ruled out any connection to the recent decision by the Colorado Supreme Court regarding Donald Trump's presidential candidacy.
The court had recently disqualified the former president from the state's Republican primary ballot due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. The court cited a U.S. constitutional provision prohibiting individuals who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from holding public office. This decision had led to increased scrutiny and potential threats against the justices.
A preliminary investigation by the state patrol suggests a "high probability" that the break-in and arson were unrelated to recent threats against the justices. The incident adds another layer of complexity to the security challenges faced by judicial institutions.
