Man arrested for alleged arson, robbery, and burglary after Colorado Supreme Court building break-in

Denver, Colorado: A 44-year-old man, identified as Brandon Olsen, was apprehended by law enforcement after a series of alarming events at the Ralph L Carr Colorado Judicial Center in downtown Denver, on Tuesday. The incident, which unfolded shortly after 1 am, saw Olsen allegedly involved in acts of arson, robbery, and burglary.

According to police reports, the sequence of events began with Olsen fleeing the scene of a car crash. Subsequently, he forcibly entered the Colorado Supreme Court building, reportedly armed with a handgun. Olsen proceeded to discharge the firearm, shattering a window, and then confronted an unarmed security guard, coercing them to surrender keys before ascending to the seventh floor of the building.

Once on the seventh floor, Olsen allegedly discharged additional rounds and initiated a fire within a stairwell. Fortunately, the building's sprinkler system quickly suppressed the fire, preventing further damage. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported.

Law enforcement sources confirmed Olsen's surrender without resistance around 3 am, following the disturbance. Although Olsen was evaluated by medical personnel at a hospital, he was subsequently cleared and taken into police custody.

The motive behind Olsen's actions remains uncertain. Authorities clarified that the incident was not connected to the Colorado Supreme Court's recent decision regarding former President Donald Trump's eligibility for the state's Republican primary ballot. The court had previously disqualified Trump due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, citing constitutional provisions.

The Colorado State Patrol, after initial investigations, indicated that the break-in was unlikely to be linked to recent threats targeting the justices. However, a comprehensive inquiry into Olsen's motives and actions is underway as law enforcement seeks further clarity on this unsettling event.