Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening Runners with Machete at Confluence Park
A popular running trail near Denver’s Confluence Park turned into a scene of chaos Monday morning when a man allegedly wielding a machete lunged at unsuspecting runners and pedestrians. Denver police say they’ve arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with the incident, which left parkgoers shaken.
Daniel Workman, a local runner who regularly uses the trail, said the encounter happened suddenly as he passed a man crouched near the edge of the path. “As I passed, he lunged out from right there with a machete and barely missed me,” Workman said. The man reportedly gave chase, prompting Workman to warn others along the trail. “We were running. It was crazy,” he added.
Workman later posted about the experience on his social media platform, which focuses on health and fitness, encouraging others to stay vigilant while outdoors. According to police documents, the suspect also allegedly advanced on a woman nearby, holding the weapon in a threatening manner. She told officers she believed he intended to harm her.
The suspect was arrested shortly afterward in Commons Park, not far from the scene. Police charged him with felony menacing and second-degree assault.
Some in the area hadn’t heard about the incident until news spread later in the day. “Goodness, it does make me more nervous about sitting out here,” said Christine Rupp, who had been relaxing in the same park where the arrest took place. Others, like Gisel Almanza, expressed hesitation about being in the park alone. “You don’t know if it’s safe or not anymore,” she said.
Workman hopes the scare serves as a reminder for others to stay alert. “Every time I would look at him, he would charge after me,” he said. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the incident raises serious concerns about safety in one of downtown Denver’s most frequently used outdoor spaces.
