Fort Collins, CO — A brutal home invasion and attack that left a Fort Collins woman critically injured last year has reached a significant turning point with the arrest of 18-year-old Ethan Campbell. The suspect, who was a minor at the time of the crime but is now being charged as an adult, was apprehended at his high school.
In November 2024, nearly nine months after the attack, the victim shared her harrowing experience in an interview where she described feeling certain she would die. “He was trying to kill me. I thought I was going to die. I lost consciousness. I thought that was it,” she recounted. Her public plea for help, supported by local law enforcement, revitalized a case that had seen few leads.
Campbell faces multiple charges including attempted murder, assault, and burglary. The gravity of the allegations reflects the severity of the attack, which police detailed as both violent and premeditated. Authorities confirmed that Campbell and the victim were residents of the same apartment complex, but had no personal relationship prior to the incident.
The breakthrough in the case came when an individual, also living in the same apartment complex, approached police last month. After a suspicious encounter with Campbell, the tipster connected him to the attack, prompting a deeper investigation by law enforcement.
Upon obtaining a search warrant for Campbell’s residence, officers uncovered evidence that further linked him to the violent crime. Kristy Volesky, assistant chief of police for Fort Collins Police Services, emphasized the importance of community involvement in solving the case. “It was crucial to have the community’s assistance to bring forward evidence that would lead to an arrest,” Volesky said during an interview.
The investigation, while significantly advanced with the arrest, continues as police piece together the events leading up to the night of the attack. The authorities are urging anyone with more information to come forward to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident and to assist in the prosecution.
The local community has reacted with a mix of relief and continued concern, deeply affected by the violent nature of the assault in what many describe as a normally quiet and safe neighborhood. Residents have been praised for their vigilance and cooperation which played a vital role in advancing the case.
Legal experts following the case note that the decision to charge Campbell as an adult highlights the intense scrutiny violent crimes involving minors are currently under, and might set a precedent in handling similar cases in the future.
As Campbell now faces the legal ramifications of his alleged actions, the community and law enforcement hope for justice for the victim and a reaffirmation of safety and security within their local area. The case continues to be a focal point of conversation around public safety, community policing, and the mechanisms of the juvenile justice system.