Police Respond to Weapon Call at School

Released on Monday, October 21, 2024

On October 21, 2024, at approximately 3:46 pm, Fort Collins Police received a weapons call where it was reported that a male was walking around the campus of Liberty Common Charter School with a gun. The school is located at 2130 West Horsetooth Road. The male, who never entered any school building and was not near any children, walked from the school grounds west on Horsetooth Road as a parent and school employee followed him. Fort Collins Police Patrol Officers, School Resource Officers, and Larimer County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the call. The school had after-hours activities, and staff worked to keep the children safe inside the building.

When officers arrived on scene, they contacted the suspect, Brian SUDDUTH (DOB: 05/09/1991), and safely took him into custody. He was in possession of a bb gun that looked like a realistic firearm. The male was transported to the Larimer County Jail and booked on the following charges:

18-9-109(6)(C) Interference with Staff/Faculty/Students of an Educational Institution with Threat of Bodily Injury or with Deadly Weapon, a Class 1 Misdemeanor,

18-18-403.5(2)(C) Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 1 Drug Misdemeanor,

18-6-803.5 Violation of a Protection Order, a Class 1 Misdemeanor,

18-9-106(1)(A) Disorderly Conduct, a Class 1 Petty Offense

18-18-428 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Drug Petty Offense.

"The immediate actions taken by Liberty Commons staff and the quick response by our patrol officers and SRO's taking this suspect into custody, helped to ensure the safety of the children and staff at the school," said Lieutenant Mike Avrech who oversees the Fort Collins Police School Resource Officer Unit.

Charges are merely an accusation by law enforcement and the suspect must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.