By Fatma Younis
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a University of Colorado Boulder student on Halloween night in Boulder.
Arrest and Charges
Omar Perez was taken into custody on November 2, days after the shooting that occurred around 11:28 p.m. on October 31. He faces charges including first-degree extreme indifference, first-degree assault extreme indifference, and first-degree attempted murder extreme indifference. Police say Perez is not a student at the university.
Shooting Details
Officers responding to reports of gunfire found two 19-year-old men with gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to the hospital, where one, identified by the Boulder County Coroner as Luca Hanlon, died early Sunday morning. The second victim remains hospitalized. According to an affidavit, Perez shot Hanlon in the neck and the other victim in the leg.
Prior Party and Confrontation
Earlier on the night of the shooting, police had cited residents at the address for a "nuisance party" following a noise complaint. Hundreds of attendees left after police intervention, but a small group remained. A group of individuals then attempted to force their way into the property, and shots were fired inside the house before the suspects fled.
Investigation and University Response
Perez was identified after a sibling recognized him from photos released by police and contacted authorities. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the arrest may restore some measure of safety but cannot undo the trauma. The University of Colorado Boulder confirmed Hanlon was a second-year media production student and requested privacy for his family and friends.
