One 19-year-old CU student was shot and killed overnight Saturday, and another critically injured, following a house party at a home in the 700 block of Marine Street in Boulder.
The shootings occurred after police shut down the house party, which had been attended by hundreds of people, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Sunday morning at a news conference in which he sought the public’s help in identifying two persons of interest in the case.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn appeared with District Attorney Michael Dougherty, left, and CU Police Chief Ashley Griffin at a news conference Sunday morning, Nov. 1, 2026. (Boulder Police Department video)
Police are still seeking the person or persons who fired the shots. In a post on X Sunday morning, police said they “have no information to indicate the suspect(s) are still in Boulder and we are actively investigating numerous leads.”
Redfearn said that about 9:54 p.m. Saturday, police received a noise complaint for a party at the home that included a live band. Officers went to the scene at 10:02 p.m. and found that the noise had met the threshold for a nuisance party ticket, he said. Within 10 minutes, officers began shutting down the party.
The hundreds who had gathered dispersed, Redfearn said, but a core group of people — including those who lived at the home — stayed.
At 11:28 p.m., police began to receive calls about a shooting at the home, Redfearn said. Around 11:30 p.m., officers arrived on scene and found two people with gunshot wounds.
The victims, both 19, were transported to Boulder Community Health by ambulance, and one later died, the chief said.
It is Boulder’s first homicide of the year, he said.
About 1:35 Sunday afternoon, Boulder police posted this photo of a “person of interest” in the Saturday night shooting that left a CU student dead and another critically injured. (Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo)
Redfearn said that about 20 witnesses were brought to the police department to be interviewed.
At Sunday morning’s news conference, he showed a video of the two persons of interest whom police are seeking. “It’s imperative that we speak with them,” he said.
Redfearn said that police believe those two people “were present when a group attempted to force their way into the party, or at least the home. Shortly thereafter, a shooting occurred inside the home.”
The two were identified in a city of Boulder email as a man with short, dark hair and facial hair, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt underneath a black jacket; and a man with short, dark hair, wearing a black shirt with Art the Clown on it and a silver-colored chain necklace. Anyone who recognizes them is asked to call 303-441-3333.
About 1:35 Sunday afternoon, Boulder police posted this photo of a “person of interest” in the Saturday night shooting that left a CU student dead and another critically injured. (Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo)
About 1:35 Sunday afternoon, released what it called “better of photos of the persons of interest we’re trying to identify.” These photos differ from those highlighted during Sunday morning’s news conference.
Spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said of the later photos: “We’re trying to identify both of them and everyone we’ve shared photos of.”
Detectives also want to speak with other people seen in video footage from the party who may have information about what occurred, the email said, and they’re asking for photos and videos from the party.
One neighbor, a CU student who did not want his name published, told the Daily Camera late Sunday morning that he heard three shots after the party was broken up. Another neighbor said he was at the party but left because of how many people were there. The party was broken up after he left.
Neither said they know the home’s residents well but said they have had friendly interactions with them, such as borrowing tools.
“We know many witnesses were CU students,” CU Police Chief Ashley Griffin said at Sunday’s news conference.
Boulder Police are seeking this “person of interest” in the Saturday night shooting that left a CU student dead and another critically injured. (Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo)
“This is an incredibly traumatic event for our campus community,” she added, noting that the university’s Dean of Students Office is reaching out to students who were impacted by the shooting.
Redfearn said that Saturday night’s party had been registered with Boulder police. CU Dean of Students Devin Cramer said the registration process is a collaboration between the university and Boulder police. He said that he was not aware of any affiliation between the party’s organizers and the university.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office assisted in interviews overnight. “Progress is already being made.”
Redfearn said that police will have an increased presence in the area.
Boulder Police are seeking this “person of interest” in the Saturday night shooting that left a CU student dead and another critically injured. (Boulder Police Department / Courtesy photo)
“This is abnormal for Boulder …,” he said. “Thankfully, we’re not accustomed to gun violence.”
Crushed beer cans, glass bottles — some broken — and other trash was strewn around the home late Sunday morning. Fake cobwebs with fake spiders and a CU Buffaloes flag decorated the front porch. String lights draped along the front of the porch were still on from the night before. Cars passing by the home, which is on the northwest corner of Seventh and Marine streets, slowed down as drivers and passengers tried to sneak a peek at the home.
“I’m so devastated about the tragic shooting on Hill last night where a CU student, so loved by their friends and family, was killed,” Boulder Mayor Pro Tem Tara Winer, who lives in the nearby Lower Chautauqua neighborhood, wrote in a Sunday post on Nextdoor. “I’m beside myself. Please let’s come together as a community and mourn this tragic loss. If you know a CU student, reach out to them and see if they are ok.”
Reporter James Burky contributed to this report.
This is a developing story.