On May 3, 2024 at approximately 4:09 am, Fort Collins Police responded to assist the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) with two separate fires; the first fire was at a business in the 600 block of South College Avenue. Shortly after that fire was reported, another fire was reported in the 100 block of West Laurel Street, also at another business. Both fires resulted in damage and were extinguished by PFA.

Based on evidence found at the scenes, officers began to investigate these incidents as arsons. Officers were able to quickly locate video surveillance footage of a suspect and tried to locate him in the area.

While continuing to search the area, officers were able to locate evidence to indicate the suspect had changed his clothing. They received another report of a male trying to break into a residence near the intersection of Howes Street and Laurel Street. Officers arrived quickly on scene and located the suspect who had a large knife with him and was tampering with an electrical outlet and trying to ignite another fire. The suspect resisted arrest and was safely taken into custody. One officer sustained minor injuries.

The Fort Collins Police Criminal Investigations Division has responded to take over the investigation. The suspect was identified as Andrew Shaughnessy (Date of Birth: 04/11/1993). He was booked into the Larimer County Jail on the following charges:

18-4-102 First Degree Arson – Business – No Endanger to Life (Class 4 Felony) – Two Counts

18-4-203(2)(d) Second Degree Burglary – Forced Entry to a Building (Class 5 Felony)

18-2-101(4) Criminal Attempt to Commit Class Five or Six Felony (Class 6 Felony)

18-8-103 Resisting Arrest (Class 2 Misdemeanor)

“We are grateful for the quick response by our partners at PFA, which prevented the fires from spreading. Our officers were able to collect evidence from various scenes that allowed them to locate the suspect, who was continuing to damage property in the area. I’m grateful for the quick and diligent work of our officers to locate and apprehend the suspect before this individual could continue to negatively impact our community. Our detectives will continue their investigation into these incidents.”, said Lieutenant Adam Ruehlen who oversees part of the investigations division.

All charges are merely an accusation by law enforcement and the suspect must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.