Criminal Justice

Gunman fleeing crash arrested after breaking into Colorado Supreme Court building

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shutterstock_Carr Colorado Judicial Center

Police said 44-year-old Brandon Olsen broke into the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center after he was involved in a nearby car crash. Photo from Shutterstock.

A gunman accused of breaking into the Colorado Supreme Court building in Denver by shooting out a window early Tuesday has been arrested on charges of arson, robbery and burglary.

Police said it is unlikely that the incident was related to the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision two weeks ago that held that former President Donald Trump could not appear on the state’s ballot.

Reuters, Bloomberg Law, the Denver Post and Colorado Public Radio have coverage.

Police said 44-year-old Brandon Olsen broke into the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center after he was involved in a nearby car crash.

After entering the building, Olsen grabbed a master key from an unarmed security guard, fired more shots on the seventh floor and started a fire there, police allege. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire.

Police arrested Olsen at about 3 a.m. after he called 911 and surrendered.

The judicial center will be closed for some time because of “significant water damage,” a spokesperson told the Denver Post.

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