Colorado Springs police arrested 36-year-old Anthony Hawk Saturday night after he allegedly forced his way into an apartment and tried to stab the resident with a butcher knife.
The terrifying confrontation happened just after 5:20 p.m. in the 4500 block of Gold Medal Point, a luxury complex near the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
What Happened Inside the Apartment
Officers arrived within minutes of the 911 call reporting a home invasion in progress.
The victim told police an unknown man kicked in the door, began yelling demands for money, then pulled a large butcher knife from his clothing and lunged at them.
A struggle followed. The resident fought back and managed to avoid being cut while the intruder swung the blade multiple times.
The suspect eventually fled the apartment on foot, still carrying the knife.
Police located Anthony Hawk less than ten minutes later walking nearby and took him into custody without further incident.
Witnesses positively identified him as the man who had just fled the scene.
Suspect Had Active Felony Warrant Before the Attack
Anthony Hawk was already wanted on an outstanding felony warrant when he allegedly committed the new crimes.
Booking records from El Paso County Jail show he now faces charges of:
- First-degree burglary (with a deadly weapon)
- Felony menacing
- Possession of a weapon by a previous offender
- Criminal mischief
He is being held on a combined $25,000 bond for the new case and the prior warrant.
Court records indicate Hawk has previous convictions in Colorado for theft, drug possession, and failing to appear.
Gold Medal Point Residents Shaken by Daylight Violence
The attack happened in broad daylight in one of the city’s newer upscale complexes, leaving neighbors stunned.
One resident who asked not to be named told reporters Sunday morning, “We moved here because it felt safe. Seeing police tape and hearing someone tried to kill another resident with a butcher knife right down the hall is terrifying.”
Another tenant posted on the community Facebook group: “Management needs to explain how someone just kicked in a door in the middle of the evening. We pay premium rent for security.”
Gold Medal Point features key-fob entry, surveillance cameras, and on-site courtesy patrol, but residents say strangers frequently follow cars through the gates.
Rise in Violent Burglaries Has Residents on Edge
Colorado Springs has seen a sharp increase in home invasions that turn violent.
CSPD data shows first-degree burglary reports (cases where someone is home and assaulted or threatened) jumped 34% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Stabbing attempts during break-ins remain rare, but police say suspects are increasingly armed with knives or guns when they expect residents to be home.
Detectives believe many of these crimes are committed by repeat offenders looking for quick cash to support drug habits.
Saturday’s incident marks at least the fourth knife-related home invasion reported in Colorado Springs since December.
Simple Steps That Can Stop Most Home Invasions
Police and security experts stress that basic precautions dramatically reduce risk:
- Install a wide-angle peephole or video doorbell so you can see who is outside before opening
- Never open the door for strangers, even if they claim to need help or be maintenance
- Keep doors locked at all times, even when home
- Add a reinforced strike plate and 3-inch screws to door frames (most kick-ins happen because cheap builder-grade hardware fails)
- Consider a dowel rod or door security bar for sliding patio doors
- If someone forces entry, experts say yelling “I have a gun” and creating distance is often more effective than fighting over a knife
The victim in Saturday’s attack followed that last piece of advice instinctively, fighting just long enough to create space and force the intruder to flee.
That quick thinking likely saved their life.
Anthony Hawk remains in custody as detectives continue building the case. He is scheduled for his first court appearance early this week.
The victim was not seriously injured and is recovering at home with family.
This close call serves as a sobering reminder that even in quiet, upscale neighborhoods, violent crime can strike anyone at any time. Residents across Colorado Springs are once again asking themselves what more they can do to protect their families.
What do you think about safety in our city right now? Have you changed anything about your home security after hearing about incidents like this? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
