Police are in the area of the homeless camps behind River City Sportsplex for a suicidal male setting his camp on fire near Riverside Parkway and 25 Road. Police are attempting to take the male suspect into custody. The fire has grown into a brush fire and is in a difficult area for fire crews to access. Police are now working to evacuate other homeless camps in the area due to the fire that’s rapidly growing.
Police are on their loud speakers and also sent out a reverse 911 in an attempt to get other camps to evacuate the area.
Update: Police have the male suspect in custody after deploying non-lethal rounds. Fire appears contained to the camp area. Crews are working to extinguish.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — On June 11, 2025, at around 8:50 a.m., Grand Junction Police Department officers responded to reports of a man with a gun near the Riverfront Trail and 25 Road. The suspect, identified as 65-year-old Celestino Marquez, threatened officers with a knife and a gun, refusing to cooperate and setting multiple fires in the area. No shots were fired during the incident.
Officers successfully took Marquez into custody without further escalation. The Grand Junction Fire Department and Mesa County Fire Marshall extinguished the fires, reporting moderate property damage but no injuries. Marquez was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on multiple warrants and charges, including 1st Degree Assault and arson.
Authorities have stated that this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community. No additional information has been released at this time.
Update 9:50 a.m.: