NewsFront RangeFort Collins

Actions

Suspect accused of starting two fires Friday morning arrested, Fort Collins police say

Fort Collins Fires_2.jpeg
Posted
and last updated

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The suspect accused of starting two fires Friday morning has been arrested, Fort Collins police said later that afternoon.

He has been identified as 31-year-old Andrew Shaughnessy. He's been booked into Larimer County Jail.

Poudre firefighters were called to a business on S Colleve Avenue just before 4 a.m. Friday. When they arrived on scene, the fire was working its way up the east side of the building, Poudre Fire Authority said.

No injuries were reported, according to Poudre Fire Authority.

At the same time, another crew of Poudre fighters responded to a second fire at a business on W Laurel Street.

No injuries were reported at that fire either.

Fort Collins police said officers began to investigate both incidents as arsons. They found surveillance video of a suspect, and as they continued to investigate the area, officers found evidence that the suspect had changed his clothing.

They then got a report of a man trying to break into a home near Laurel Street, Fort Collins police said in a Friday afternoon news release.

"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," Fort Collins police said.

The man was arrested and safely taken into custody. One officer was injured in the process.

Shaughnessy faces charges of first degree arson of a business, second degree burglary and forced entry to a building, criminal attempt to commit a class five or six felony and resisting arrest.

Fort Collins police investigating 2 fires Friday morning as potential arson


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png
The Follow Up
What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.