Man With Prior Ban Taken Into Custody After Firearm Incident at UNC

By Heather Willard | KDVR FOX31

DENVER (KDVR) — A man whom law enforcement issued a warning for earlier this month has been arrested after he was allegedly seen on video dancing and displaying a firearm inside a University of Northern Colorado dorm.

On Tuesday, UNC police responded to an anonymous report of an individual unaffiliated with the campus at the Arlington Park Apartments residence. The report included a video that had been posted to social media showing the incident.

Later, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office shared an alleged screenshot of the video, which appeared to show Debisa holding a long gun with a detachable magazine.

It’s illegal to have firearms inside UNC residence halls, and while officers responded immediately, the suspect was not found at the location.

After reviewing surveillance video, police identified the suspect as Ephraim Debisa, 21, who was released from the Weld County jail on Sept. 8 due to a new Colorado law.

Investigators found that Debisa left campus with the firearm at about 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday, and investigators also learned that Debisa had been let into the residence hall by “known associates as he has several friends on campus.” A campus safety alert was issued Tuesday, warning of his presence and advising anyone who saw him to contact police immediately.

He was re-arrested on Wednesday afternoon by the Greeley Police Department, UNC Police Department and the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. Debisa was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds and trespass of an inhabited dwelling, both of which are felonies.

“The safety of our students and community is our top priority. While no one was threatened or harmed during yesterday’s incident, UNC PD collaborated with numerous local area law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend him as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the support of our local, state, and federal partners and their efforts to ensure the safety of our community,” a letter to the campus community stated.

Weld County sheriff notified community of Debisa’s release

Before his release from jail earlier this month, Debisa was facing an attempted murder charge, among others. However, while awaiting trial, the issue of mental competency was raised, and the courts determined in July that his competency could not be restored, thus making him unable to stand trial.

“I knew this would happen. I am glad no one was hurt,” said Sheriff Steve Reams in a Weld County Sheriff’s Office release on Wednesday.

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