The investigation into Sunday’s arson fires at Fort Lewis College now has the attention of federal officials.
The college announced in a news release Monday night that the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Denver Field Division would take over investigating the case. The agency will work in partnership with the local agencies working on the case.
The Fort Lewis College Police Department, Durango Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are already helping out on the case.
On Sunday morning, the press box at the Ray Dennison Memorial Field was allegedly set on fire at around 5:30 a.m.
Durango Fire Protection District arrived on the scene in a timely manner to extinguish the flames.
Just 18 hours later, Durango Fire responded to a call where a Fort Lewis College police vehicle was allegedly set on fire in the police department parking lot. The torched vehicle eventually exploded, and an additional police vehicle was damaged as a result. Foul play is suspected in both incidents.
“Federal law enforcement has the expertise and resources to ensure those responsible for these acts are held accountable,” said FLC Police Chief Brett Deming in the news release.
“I am unnerved, and I am angry that someone would do this to our amazing campus,” FLC President Tom Stritikus said via social media. “But I do take solace in the fact that multiple law enforcement organizations are on scene right now, investigating. And even though his investigation might take time, I know they’re doing everything they can to keep us safe.”
ATF spokeswoman Crystal McCoy could not comment on the investigation on Tuesday.
“It is imperative we do not compromise our collective efforts, integrity of this investigation or any potential future prosecutions especially so early in our investigation. Therefore, we cannot provide any additional details or updates on the investigation at this time,” McCoy said in an email Tuesday.
Law enforcement agencies have not specified whether they believe the perpetrator or perpetrators were FLC students or had any affiliation with the college.
Anyone with information about the person or persons involved are asked to contact campus police at 888-ATF-TIPS or 970-385-2900, or share reports anonymously at Safe2Tell.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
