This is a developing story based on information from the Boulder Police Department. We are continuing to report on this story and will publish more details as we are able to confirm them.
A man died by suicide Monday evening after a standoff with police that lasted more than four hours in south Boulder, city officials said. He was identified Tuesday as 20-year-old Joshua Provenza.
The incident began at approximately 11:36 a.m. when Boulder police received a call requesting a welfare check for a man in crisis. The caller reported that the man was armed with a gun and had threatened to harm himself and others, according to the police.
Later in the afternoon, at 1:38 p.m., the University of Colorado Boulder Police received a report from a witness who said they saw a gun fall out of a man’s pants while he was walking on campus. According to police, the man picked up the gun, ran away and drove off in a car.
CUPD issued a shelter-in-place order as officers searched for the suspect. Police soon connected the two calls and tentatively identified the man. Authorities said initial information indicated the suspect was armed and looking for a woman with whom he had previously been in a relationship. Officers also determined that the suspect had an active domestic violence protection order against him.
Police searched multiple locations throughout the city and, just after 3 p.m., located the suspect’s car. Officers immobilized the vehicle on 40th Street just north of Table Mesa Drive, where they said the man refused to drop his weapon.
Boulder Police SWAT was activated, and officers spent the next several hours negotiating with the man, urging him to surrender peacefully. However, at approximately 7:15 p.m., he died by suicide, police said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
A terrible tragedy of a person in crisis. I hope nobody tries to politicize it.