Fort Collins Police SWAT Team Resolves Hostage Situation
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A tense hostage situation ended peacefully in Fort Collins on Friday when the local SWAT team successfully apprehended a man after he allegedly held a woman captive in a residence on Bear Creek Drive. The incident began when the suspect, identified as Erik Dunning, made a 911 call claiming he had taken a woman hostage while threatening her life and indicating that he was armed.
During the call, the woman could be heard pleading for help, prompting an immediate response from Fort Collins Police Services. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, authorities quickly deployed the SWAT team and issued reverse 911 notifications to residents in the vicinity, ensuring public safety while crisis negotiators attempted to resolve the situation peacefully.
Police were eventually compelled to breach the home to rescue the hostage. Upon entering, they found the woman sustaining serious injuries, which required medical attention. Dunning was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect now faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault and second-degree kidnapping, both classified as Class 3 felonies, alongside charges of false imprisonment, obstructing a police officer, and resisting arrest.
Lieutenant Sara Lynd emphasized the rarity of hostage situations in Fort Collins and praised the professionalism, training, and swift actions of the police in handling the crisis. “Our Detectives will now work with the District Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of this incident," she stated.
Both Dunning and the victim were known to each other prior to the incident. The police department continues to investigate, ensuring that community safety remains a priority.
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