Original post- September 14, 2023 at 1:46pm
Update- September 21, 2023 at 2:51pm
Suspect Identification Provided on September 21, 2023
The suspect has been identified as Craig Petri who is believed to have been living in his truck most recently.
Ongoing Investigation
The Frisco Police Department continues to investigate the incident, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in the Safeway parking lot at 1008 Summit Boulevard in Frisco. The suspect has been identified as a 27-year-old man. Currently, the Frisco Police Department is declining to release the suspect’s name or any other personal information, as it has no inherent benefit to the public at this time and could compromise the ongoing investigation. The Frisco Police Department is in the process of obtaining a search warrant to look for weapons in the vehicle which the suspect used in this incident. The suspect claimed to have a gun and knives, and two knives were subsequently found when the suspect was arrested, but a search warrant is required for a further search of the suspect’s vehicle.
What Precipitated this Incident?
On the morning of September 13, 2023 shortly after 7:00 am, a member of the public called 911 to report that the suspect was threatening them in the Safeway parking lot. A Frisco Police Department officer was dispatched and responded. Based on the suspect’s behavior and lack of cooperation, it was determined by the responding officer that further law enforcement support would be required to keep the public, the suspect, and police safe. Eventually, the suspect’s vehicle was “pinched” into place by using an armored vehicle at the front of end of the suspect’s vehicle and a Frisco Police Department vehicle at the backend of the suspect’s vehicle. This tactic allowed law enforcement to establish a perimeter around the suspect and prevented the suspect, who claimed to be armed and was unwilling to leave his vehicle, from driving away in his vehicle and putting the public and law enforcement at further risk.
A negotiator and the System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) were also eventually on scene to support law enforcement, as they all worked to deescalate the situation. At over four hours after the initial response by law enforcement and hours of negotiations, the suspect was arrested after pepper and tear gas were introduced into the vehicle. The suspect was treated on scene for exposure to pepper and tear gas and is currently in custody.
Background on the September 13 Incident
At approximately 7:10 am on Wednesday, September 13, police responded to a male in a black truck in the Safeway parking lot. The man claimed to have weapons, including knives and a gun, and refused to leave his vehicle. The Safeway parking lot, a portion of Highway 9, Lusher Court, and several local businesses were closed to protect the public and allow police and mental health professionals the space to deescalate this situation.
The Frisco Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol, along with S.M.A.R.T. were on scene during this response. The Frisco Police Department again offers gratitude to the community for allowing law enforcement and mental health professionals the space and time to resolve this incident without serious injury or loss of life.