We are saddened to confirm today, now that the coroner has notified the next of kin and released his name, that the individual involved in Monday’s SWAT stand-off situation was former Boulder Fire-Rescue probationary firefighter Joshua Provenza.

We are saddened to confirm today, now that the coroner has notified the next of kin and released his name, that the individual involved in Monday’s SWAT stand-off situation was former Boulder Fire-Rescue probationary firefighter Joshua Provenza.

Mr. Provenza was a probationary firefighter with Boulder Fire-Rescue from August 2023 to March 2024. In March of 2024, he was terminated based on a finding that he violated the Boulder Fire-Rescue Code of Ethics and department policy. The action to end Mr. Provenza’s employment was consistent with our values as an organization and with the expectations we have of all staff members.

Boulder Police and Fire-Rescue personnel involved in Monday’s response worked tirelessly and in accordance with best practices to try to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, at the end of several hours of negotiations, Mr. Provenza died by suicide. The loss of any life is a tragedy, which as first responders we try to avoid at all costs. We appreciate the complex feelings of grief in this situation and hope that his family and loved ones find peace.

You can read the press release about the incident at bouldercolorado.gov/news/update-armed-incident

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