The CU community gathers at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court to mourn the loss of second-year student Luca Hanlon following a shooting on Halloween night. Nov. 5, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
As a crowd gathered at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court Thursday evening, the steady hum of nearby buildings covered long stretches of silence. Community members hung their heads, plastic candles flickering in hand, remembering second-year student Luca Hanlon.
“Grief moves through friends, families and lectures until it leaves the entire community with a sense of emptiness that is hard to explain,” said Emily Golding, vice president of CU Boulder’s Students Demand Action chapter.
After a shooting near campus on Halloween killed Hanlon and injured another student, the University of Colorado Boulder Student Government hosted a vigil to bring the campus community together in support of those affected. Vigil speakers mourned Hanlon while encouraging the community to support one another and seek mental health resources.
“This vigil tonight does not change anything that has happened, nor does it make any of it better,” said Rowan Hillhouse, internal affairs student body president. “What I do know is that none of us should be carrying this burden alone.”
Around 11:28 p.m. on Saturday, Boulder Police Department received reports of a shooting on the 700 block of Marine and 7th Street. The report came after police disbanded a Halloween party at the home due to a noise complaint. When officers returned to investigate reports of gunfire, they found both students with gunshot wounds. While one remains in the hospital, Hanlon died early Sunday.
On Monday, BPD arrested Omar Perez for the shooting. He was charged with first-degree murder with extreme indifference and assault with extreme indifference. Police say Perez, 18, is not a CU student. While Perez is the only suspected shooter, BPD is still looking for others involved in the incident who may face charges.
On Tuesday, CUSG announced the vigil to support those affected by the shooting and gun violence.
CU Boulder community creates memorial as students mourn the loss of second-year student Luca Hanlon following a shooting on Halloween night. Nov. 5, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
CU Chamber singers perform at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court during a vigil honoring second-year student Luca Hanlon, who was killed in a shooting on Halloween night. Nov. 5, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Community members write letters to Luca Hanlon's family as Boulder mourns the loss of the second-year student following a shooting on Halloween night. Nov. 5, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
CU Boulder community creates memorial as students mourn the loss of second-year student Luca Hanlon following a shooting on Halloween night. Nov. 5, 2026. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
Lori Bergen, dean of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information was among the university officials who released statements on the incident. After the Boulder County Coroner announced that both victims were CMDI students on Tuesday, Bergen shared a message acknowledging the loss.
“There are no words to adequately express the sorrow we feel for these students, their families, their friends, and our CMDI and campus communities,” Bergen wrote in an email. “Whether you are grieving, frightened, angry, overwhelmed or simply unsure of what to feel, know that your feelings are valid.”
The university highlighted mental health resources throughout the week, including the Office of Victim Assistance and Counseling and Psychiatric Services. The programs provide 24/7 mental health services to students.
The CU Chamber Singers and CUSG music senator Aimee Kennedy sang “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and “Amazing Grace” to open the evening. While students led the vigil, university and city leaders like Chancellor Justin Schwartz and District Attorney Michael Dougherty stood among the crowd.
Freshman psychology major Luella Schiernback said she felt encouraged by the community turnout Thursday evening.
“I’m glad that CU is all here, showing support; people that don’t know the victim and people that do,” she said. “It’s just showing community.”
Schiernback said that while many on campus feel the impact of the shooting, she stressed the importance of supporting those who knew Hanlon.
While the families of those affected requested privacy at this time, the vigil allowed students to write notes of condolences and support. Some attendees brought flowers, which lined the windows of the University Memorial Center Bookstore by the end of the vigil.
“We hope that this will serve as a way to express that even in the most difficult times, our community stands steadfast together,” Hillhouse said.
Contact CU Independent Editor-in-Chief Avery Clifton at avery.clifton@colorado.edu.
