Man With Multiple Guns, Explosives Found Dead At Colorado Amusement Park

Law enforcement in Colorado reportedly found a “heavily armed” man dead at an amusement park over the weekend. Authorities suggested the man had enough weaponry, ammunition, and explosives to potentially carry out a massive attack.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office announced that authorities had launched an investigation at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park after employees notified officials they located the body of a 22-year-old man on Saturday morning before the park opened to the public.

Walt Stowe, a spokesperson for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, told USA TODAY that authorities are investigating the suspect death as a possible suicide.

“There is no danger to the community as of right now,” Stowe said.

According to a press release, the two-day investigation discovered the deceased unidentified male had illegally entered the park after hours when no employees were on site. Upon finding him, authorities said the man was dressed in black-colored tactical clothing with patches and emblems resembling an association with law enforcement.

Authorities said the man was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic handgun with multiple loaded magazines for both firearms, and was wearing body armor with a ballistic helmet.

Police also found multiple improvised explosive devices in a vehicle that authorities believe may have been associated with the suspect — which prompted a bomb squad backed by the Garfield County All Hazard to sweep the park for additional danger.

“The initial two days of the investigation have been carried out in the slow, methodical manner in order to search the property, as well as the suspect’s residence to ensure the safety of the public and to begin to determine the extent of his criminal activity,” authorities said in the news release. “The safety of the public, bomb, disposal personnel, law enforcement, and other first responders were the priority, as well as making sure the cabins were safe to re-open.”

Police concluded that the suspect could have “implemented an attack of devastating proportions upon our community, and first responders” after discovering the amount of firearms, ammunition, and explosives located in association with the suspect.

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario reportedly said a message written on a wall inside a women’s bathroom said, “I am not a killer, I just want to get into the caves.” The sheriff did not confirm if the message came from the suspect.

According to the press release, the Garfield County Coroner will disclose the suspect’s identity and official cause of death.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located between Aspen and Vail along Interstate 70 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on a mountaintop setting overlooking the city, according to its website. The amusement park offers several attractions, including roller coasters, zip lines, a gondola, and mountaintop dining.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park General Manager Nancy Heard thanked the first responders for working together to ensure the park is safe to reopen in a statement to USA TODAY.

“This very sad and tragic incident reminds us how much our Glenwood Springs community means to us,” Heard said.