Police Investigate Violence at Demonstration, Seek Community's Help

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 was cited for Criminal Tampering (class 2 misdemeanor). A 25-year-old person was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor) and Resisting Arrest (class 2 misdemeanor). A 42-year-old person was arrested for Disorderly Conduct (class 3 misdemeanor). A 37-year-old person 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 police. “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.