Fort Collins Police SWAT Team Safely Arrests Suspect

Released on Monday, December 2, 2024

On November 29, 2024, Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) was called to a residence in the 700 block of Bear Creek Drive regarding a possible hostage situation. A male called police and reported he had a hostage. A female could be heard in the background asking for help. The male said he was armed with a weapon and threatened to kill the hostage.

FCPS Officers immediately responded, and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was activated for a rapid deployment. Rapid deployments are used for actively evolving situations that could result in serious injuries to an individual. A reverse 911 was made to the surrounding area to make them aware of the situation as well.

Fort Collins Police SWAT Crisis Negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the situation, and ultimately SWAT made entry into the residence and took the suspect, Erik Dunning, into custody. Police ensured the victim, who was known to the suspect received immediate medical care for serious injuries inflicted by the suspect.

Dunning was booked into the Larimer County Jail on the following charges:

· CRS 18-3-202, 1st Degree Assault, a Class 3 Felony

· CRS 18-3-302 2nd Degree Kidnapping, a Class 3 Felony

· CRS 18-3-303(2)(A) False Imprisonment, a Class 5 Felony

· CRS 18-9-19 Failure or Refusal to Leave Premise-Hostage, a Class 4 Felony

· CRS 18-8-104 Obstructing a Police Officer, a Class 2 Misdemeanor

· CRS 18-8-103 Resisting Arrest, a Class 2 Misdemeanor

"We want Fort Collins residents to know that hostage situations in this city are extremely rare. It is the high level of training and professionalism of Fort Collins Police Officers that resulted in the safe rescuing of this hostage and taking this suspect into custody. Our Detectives will now work with the District Attorney's Office in the prosecution of this incident," said Lieutenant Sara Lynd who oversees the Fort Collins Police Crimes Against Persons Unit.

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