Suspect Arrested in Fatal CU Boulder Halloween Party Shooting

Suspect Arrested in Halloween Killing of CU Boulder Student

Boulder Police have taken 18-year-old Omar Perez of Thornton into custody following the fatal shooting of a University of Colorado Boulder student on Halloween night. The arrest, which occurred early Monday morning, marks the first homicide investigation in the city for the 2026 calendar year. While the investigation remains active, authorities have charged Perez with first-degree murder with extreme indifference, first-degree attempted murder, and assault.

18-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN DEADLY CU BOULDER HALLOWEEN PARTY SHOOTING BOULDER, COLORADO | NOVEMBER 2, 2026 An 18-year-old Thornton man has been arrested in connection with a deadly Halloween weekend shooting near the University of Colorado Boulder campus that left one…

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The violence erupted just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday at a residence in the University Hill neighborhood. According to reporting by CPR News, the home had hosted a registered Halloween party earlier that evening. Boulder Police had been called to the address once before for a noise complaint, resulting in a nuisance party citation for the residents. While hundreds of attendees dispersed after that initial visit, a smaller group remained inside the home when the shooting occurred.

The Investigation and Community Impact

Investigators believe the shooting was triggered when a group of individuals attempted to force their way into the home. During the ensuing scuffle, gunfire erupted, leaving two 19-year-old men with gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to the hospital, where one—identified by the Boulder County Coroner’s Office as Luca Hanlon—died on November 1. The second victim remains hospitalized as of Monday, according to CBS News.

Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn confirmed that while additional charges against other individuals remain possible, detectives currently believe Perez was the only shooter involved in the incident. The department utilized community tips to identify the suspect within 24 hours of the shooting, coordinating with the Thornton Police Department, Westminster Police, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office to execute the arrest.

Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe and while I hope this arrest restores some measure of safety, I know it will never bring back the life of this young man or undo all the trauma victims have gone through, Redfearn said in a statement. Boulder Police

Public Assistance and Ongoing Search

While Perez remains in custody without bond, the Boulder Police Department continues to seek information regarding other individuals who were present during the attempted forced entry. The department has released photos of persons of interest and is urging anyone with information—or those who attended the party—to contact dispatch at 303-441-3333, referencing case number 26-10148. Further details regarding the investigation can be found on the official Boulder Police Department incident portal.

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The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the University Hill area, a neighborhood historically known for its high density of student housing and active social scene. The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with large-scale off-campus gatherings, which have long been a point of tension between the university, the city, and local residents. As the legal process begins for the suspect, the Boulder community is left to reckon with a loss that has prompted renewed discussions regarding public safety in the campus vicinity.