Boulder Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Halloween Party Shooting

Police in Boulder, Colorado, have arrested an 18-year-old man in the Boulder Halloween shooting that killed a University of Colorado student and wounded another at a house party, The Denver Gazette reported on Monday (Nov 2).

The suspect, Omar Perez of Thornton, was booked into the Boulder County jail on Monday morning. Police said he is not a student at the university.

How the Boulder Halloween shooting unfolded

According to a Boulder Police Department statement, officers were called at about 11.28pm on Saturday (Oct 31) to reports of a shooting at a home in the 700 block of Marine Street, in the University Hill neighbourhood. Police said officers reached the scene in under two minutes.

Earlier that night, police had responded to a noise complaint about a large party at the house and cited the residents. The Gazette reported that hundreds of guests left after police stepped in, but a smaller group stayed on.

Detectives believe a group later tried to force its way into the home, leading to a scuffle in which shots were fired inside. Both victims are 19-year-old men and students at the University of Colorado Boulder. One died early on Sunday (Nov 1), while the other remained in hospital on Monday.

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the name of the student who died. Police said the victims’ families have asked for privacy.

Charges against the suspect

Police said Perez was arrested early on Monday with help from police in Thornton and Westminster and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, about 24 hours after he was identified as a suspect.

He is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault, all under extreme indifference provisions, according to the police statement, which noted that he is presumed innocent.

Speaking about the arrest, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said: “I know it will never bring back the life of this young man.”

Police still seeking others

Detectives believe Perez was the only shooter, but police said further charges against other people are possible and that persons of interest are still being sought. Police are not releasing the suspect’s photo and have asked anyone with information, photos or video to contact Boulder Police.

No court date had been reported as of Monday.

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