A Boulder County judge on Monday, May 4, handed Brandon Allen a prison term that will likely define the rest of his life, following his guilty plea in the shooting of his former partner. Allen was ordered to serve a total of 41 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. The woman survived, and the couple’s young children were inside the vehicle when the gunfire erupted in the driveway.
The judge sentenced Allen to 32 years for attempted murder, then stacked on additional time: three years for vehicular eluding and six years for criminal mischief, bringing the total to 41 years behind bars. If he is ever released, he will face five years of parole. As reported by 9News, Allen entered guilty pleas in February to several charges tied to the March 2024 attack.
Shooting and Pursuit
The violence unfolded on March 20, 2024, when authorities say Allen opened fire as his former partner sat in her driveway in the 1300 block of Goshawk Drive, near East Mountain View and Deerwood Drive in Longmont. Neighbors told police they heard gunshots and children screaming. Prosecutors say the victim was hit in the neck and thigh while the children sat in the back seat, turning an already terrifying scene into something even more harrowing.
Officers later spotted a white Subaru Outback in Lyons and moved in. Police say they chased the vehicle and eventually disabled it before arresting the suspect. Investigators also asked anyone with surveillance or cellphone footage to reference case 24-2552 when contacting authorities. KDVR/FOX31 via Yahoo noted those initial details from Longmont police.
Court Records and Prosecution
Court records show Allen was already under a protection order that barred him from having a weapon at the time investigators say he carried out the shooting. Prosecutors pushed for consecutive sentences, arguing that the victim’s injuries, the presence of children during the attack, and Allen’s conduct before and after the shooting justified a lengthy term.
In a statement to 9News, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty called it a “horrific, brutal shooting” and said the victim is “lucky to be alive,” a stark reminder of how close this case came to becoming a homicide.
Aftermath and Next Steps
The judge ordered Allen to serve his term in the Colorado Department of Corrections, with five years of parole to follow if he is released. Local officials and victim advocates say the case has sharpened ongoing concerns about how protective orders intersect with firearm access in domestic violence situations, especially when children are caught in the middle.
Authorities are still asking anyone who has information or video tied to the March 2024 shooting to contact Longmont police and reference case 24-2552. KDVR/FOX31 via Yahoo carried the earlier police appeal for tips.
