On June 11, 2025, at approximately 8:50 a.m., officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to a report of a male with a gun in the area of the Riverfront Trail and 25 Road.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact the subject, later identified as Celestino Marquez, age 65. Marquez advised officers that he was armed with a knife and a gun and threatened to shoot the responding officers. Marquez refused to cooperate and began to set multiple fires in the area. No shots were fired by the suspect or law enforcement.
Officers safely took Marquez into custody a short time later. The Grand Junction Fire Department and the Mesa County Fire Marshall quickly responded and extinguished the fires without further incident. No injuries were reported, and moderate property damage was reported.
Marquez was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on his multiple warrants and other charges, including 1st Degree Assault and various arson charges.
The Grand Junction Police Department believes this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. No further information is available at this time.