A Denver house party ended Sunday morning with a standoff between Denver police and an armed party crasher.
Police said Paul Romero, 28, entered the home in the 900 block of 26th Street without knowing the host or any of the guests. He became aggressive when guests began to question him. Lt. Catherine Davis said the confrontation escalated and the suspect allegedly assaulted two guests, then pulled out a gun.
Police responded to a 911 call made by one of the guests around 6 a.m.
Davis said the owner of the home evacuated guests unharmed by telling Romero he could elude police by leaving through an upstairs window.
When police arrived, Romero barricaded himself in the house. Davis said police tried to negotiate with him for two hours before deciding to use tear gas. She said Romero came out without his clothes. Alcohol or illegal drugs are suspected.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Romero had warrants out for his arrest on parole violations and for escape.
The owner of the home, who did not want his name used for fear of retaliation, said he was hosting a small party with about 15 guests Saturday night when the suspect showed up.
“No one knew who he was,” he said. “Everyone just thought he was a friend of a friend.”
He said the man was there for two or three hours before people began to question him. He said the suspect became violent when he heard that someone had called police.
“He said ‘If you call the cops, you’re all dead,”‘ the owner said.
He said police were still trying to fan out the tear gas Sunday morning. Davis confirmed it could be some time before people could re-enter the home.
Staff writer Christopher Ortiz can be reached at 303-820-1201 or cortiz@denverpost.com.
