Damien Jackson found guilty of multiple charges

Today, a jury found Damien Jackson guilty of 17 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, following an incident on January 7th, 2024, in Windsor, CO. The full list of charges with sentencing ranges can be found at the end of this release. 

On the afternoon of January 7th, 2024, Windsor Severance Fire Rescue (WSFR) was dispatched to the AmericInn Lodge and Suites located in Windsor, CO, for a fire alarm activation. Once WSFR personnel began checking the building, they received information that there may be a man armed with a gun. Therefore, Windsor Police Department officers also responded to assist.

Upon arrival, Mr. Jackson began to climb onto a nearby firetruck. Officers instructed him to get off the truck, and as they did, Mr. Jackson began firing at officers. During this time, two civilians were in a vehicle located between Mr. Jackson and the officers. Thankfully, officers were able to safely evacuate both civilians, and they were uninjured. Officers then returned fire at Mr. Jackson.

Eventually, Mr. Jackson dismounted the firetruck and was taken into custody. During his arrest, it was revealed that Mr. Jackson had two additional guns and was wearing body armor. An investigation also found that Mr. Jackson had proceeded to live stream the entirety of the incident with law enforcement and that his vehicle contained additional firearms and ammunition.

Ultimately, it was revealed that Mr. Jackson had pulled the fire alarm to draw law enforcement to him.

The prosecution was led by Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Axmacher, and Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Mangione, throughout the three-day trial. Witnesses included firearm experts, crime scene evidence technicians, and the law enforcement officers and civilians who survived Mr. Jackson’s attack.

The jury found Damien Jackson guilty on all charges after a day of deliberation.

Mr. Jackson’s sentence is up to the Court; however, he could face the following for each charge. For the charges denoted with a *, a violent crime sentence enhancer is applied.

Based on the sentencing ranges for each count, Mr. Jackson will be looking at a minimum of 80 years in the Department of Corrections

• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, After Deliberation (F2)*
  • 16-48 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine
• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, After Deliberation (F2)*
  • 16-48 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine
• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, After Deliberation (F2)*
  • 16-48 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine
• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, Extreme Indifference (F2)*
  • 16-48 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine
• Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, Extreme Indifference (F2)*
  • 16-48 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine
• Assault in the 1st Degree, Threatening a Peace Officer with a Weapon (F3)
  • 10-32 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $750,000 fine
• Assault in the 1st Degree, Threatening a Peace Officer with a Weapon (F3)
  • 10-32 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $750,000 fine
• Assault in the 1st Degree, Threatening a Peace Officer with a Weapon (F3)
  • 10-32 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $750,000 fine
• Felony Menacing, with a Weapon (F5)
  • 1-3 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $100,000 fine
• Felony Menacing, with a Weapon (F5)
  • 1-3 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $100,000 fine
• Felony Menacing, with a Weapon (F5)
  • 1-3 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $100,000 fine
• Felony Menacing, with a Weapon (F5)
  • 1-3 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $100,000 fine
• Felony Menacing, with a Weapon (F5)
  • 1-3 years in the Department of Corrections
  • Up to a $100,000 fine
• False Reporting, Fire/Emergency/Exit Alarm (M2)
  • Up to 364 days in jail
  • Up to $1000 fine
• Resisting Arrest (M2)
  • Up to 364 days in jail
  • Up to $1000 fine
• Obstructing a Peace Officer (M2)
  • Up to 364 days in jail
  • Up to $1000 fine
• Reckless Endangerment (M2)
  • Up to 364 days in jail
  • Up to $1000 fine

Sentencing for Mr. Jackson will take place on Tuesday, October 7th, at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 4B.

"I am incredibly proud of our trial team for securing guilty verdicts on each and every count to ensure we hold this extremely dangerous individual accountable,” says District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin. “The defendant nearly killed both law enforcement officers and citizens that day, and we are thankful the situation was not much more dire. I commend the bravery of first responding officers and the multi-agency response that resulted in safely resolving the incident.”