News

[UPDATE August 11]

After receiving numerous tips from community members, Fort Collins Police have identified and arrested two additional people for their actions during an August 8 demonstration. Both were prominently featured in bystander videos that captured a fight West of Nancy Gray Avenue.

A 39-year-old person from Gill, Colorado was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor).
An 57-year-old person from Kersey, Colorado was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor).

Both people were booked into the Larimer County Jail on Tuesday, August 11. The investigation into this incident is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about individuals who were involved in violence at this event are asked to contact Detective CJ O’Loughlin at 970-416-2571.

“Freedom of speech and the ability to peacefully protest is a fundamental right in our country,” said FCPS Chief Jeff Swoboda. “We will not tolerate violence when people are peacefully exercising their rights here in Fort Collins. If you break the law, you will be held accountable.”

All charges are simply an accusation by law enforcement officers, and any arrested party must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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[August 9]

On August 8, 2020, several groups assembled near the Fort Collins Police Services building on Timberline Road. During this time, physical disturbances broke out between members of the different groups.

Officers worked to contact all of the individuals directly involved in these fights, resulting in three arrests and one criminal citation:

A 42-year-old person from Denver, CO was cited for Criminal Tampering (class 2 misdemeanor).
A 25-year-old person from Greeley, CO was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor) and Resisting Arrest (class 2 misdemeanor).
A 42-year-old person from Fort Collins, CO was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor).
A 37-year-old person from Denver, CO was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor) and Possession of an Illegal Weapon (class 1 misdemeanor).

Both sides had active aggressors, and enforcement action was taken against people identifying with both groups. Some of the people who were fighting left the scene before police were able to identify or make contact with them. Officers are reviewing video and actively working to determine who these people were so they can be held accountable. Anyone with information that may help in this investigation is asked to contact Det. CJ O'Loughlin at 970-416-2571.

“We respect everyone's right to peacefully assemble. Our officers have consistently supported these rights in recent months as people have gathered to make their voices heard. For the safety of our community, acts of violence and other unlawful behavior have not and will not be tolerated from anyone,” said FCPS Chief Jeff Swoboda. “Truly supporting a cause means representing its values. Committing crimes in our community is not a way to support police. We stand for safety, period. We want all of our community members to feel safe here in Fort Collins and we reject any form of hate.”

All charges are simply an accusation by law enforcement officers, and any arrested party must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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Video statements from Chief Swoboda are available here and may be used with attribution:

August 9: https://youtu.be/RIRo7KzlPKQ
August 10: https://youtu.be/h8h7XecLAj4
August 11: https://youtu.be/bDTusmpZK2E