Thornton man charged with murder in death of CU Boulder student

Omar Perez, an 18-year-old resident of Thornton, appeared in a Boulder County courtroom on Monday wearing a red jumpsuit and handcuffs. Prosecutors formally charged him with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault in connection with the death of a University of Colorado Boulder student. The case marks the first murder charged in the city of Boulder this year, according to District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

Perez is accused of killing 19-year-old Luca Hanlon and injuring another student in the leg with a single gunshot. Neither victim was affiliated with Perez, who is not a student at CU Boulder. The incident occurred during a Halloween party held at an off-campus residence on Marine Street. Police records indicate the gathering was shut down before the shooting took place.

Arrest documents detail the sequence of events leading to the arrest. Perez and five others were asked to leave the home. After exiting, Perez reportedly pushed his way back inside. A witness told investigators that Perez rushed toward someone, prompting the witness to intervene by placing him in a headlock. The witness then heard popping sounds and saw a gun in Perez's hand before backing away as Perez ran out the door.

Dougherty addressed the public during the hearing, noting that while Boulder is generally a safe community, it is not immune to gun violence. He stated, "We also shouldn't just accept that or accept the consequences of it." Family members and friends of the victims were present in the courtroom, sitting in front of the district attorney's office.

During a question regarding how Perez was located, Dougherty referenced the public arrest affidavit. The document suggests a tip from Perez's sister helped lead to his capture. Dougherty confirmed that the Boulder Police Department generated many leads and encouraged other community members with information to reach out.

The judge issued a protection order for the victims during the hearing. No bail amount was set for Perez. He is scheduled to return to court for his next hearing at 9 a.m. on February 10.