Woman held hostage during Broomfield ‘active shooter’ situation dies, according to police

Police responded to Arista Flats Apartments on Central Court in Broomfield and said a man fired a gun toward neighboring units and the parking lot.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — An active shooter situation that caused a shelter-in-place at a Broomfield apartment building Thursday morning started with a domestic violence situation between a man and a woman who lived in the same unit, Arista Flats apartments said in a letter to residents.

The apartment complex is near the 1stBank Center between U.S. 36 and Wadsworth Parkway. Broomfield Police responded there for a report of a disturbance around 6:30 a.m. Thursday and said the situation turned dangerous when the man made threats and started shooting at surrounding units and the parking lot, police said.

Police called it an “active shooter” situation, issued a shelter-in-place and evacuated some residents. It ended shortly before 10 a.m. when police forcibly entered the unit, shot the man and took him into custody.

Both the man and woman were taken to a hospital. The woman, who Broomfield Police spokeswoman Rachel Haslett described as a hostage, later died of a gunshot wound. Her name has not yet been released.

“As you likely know, there was a domestic violence incident in our community early in the morning of Sept. 12, 2024, that involved a male resident firing shots inside and outside of a unit and injuring a female resident who resided in the same unit,” Arista Flats Apartments wrote in an email that was sent to residents Thursday night. It’s still unclear the relationship between the two.

Around 9:45 a.m. when police said they forcefully entered the apartment, 9NEWS crews reported hearing a loud bang and then gunfire. Haslett confirmed at a news conference there was an “exchange” of gunfire at that time. Police said several law enforcement officers fired their weapons. They have been placed on administrative leave, which is department policy.

According to 9NEWS crews at the scene, first responders appeared to be using a ladder to access a second-floor unit.

Police were expected to remain at the complex throughout the day as they investigated the large crime scene. Haslett noted that multiple cars and buildings in the complex were struck by gunfire.

“We have to process where those gunshots went, look for any of those casings, determine anything that may have happened, determine how many shots he may have fired,” Haslett said.

On Friday morning, police said that all evacuees were allowed to return to their apartments. The south stairwell in building 15 will remain closed while police investigate.

Police said the shooting suspect is a 34-year-old man, but his name has not been released. He was shot by law enforcement officers before he was arrested and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to police.

Multiple law enforcement officers had minor injuries and were treated and released.

During the standoff, Jefferson Academy was on secure status out of an abundance of caution.

Residents of the complex who did not receive shelter-in-place notifications are encouraged to sign up for alerts by going here.