Police located the suspect in a life-threatening assault case on Walnut and 11th Street after receiving a tip from the CU community, according to a Boulder Police Department news release.
According to the release, 21-year-old Eric Anthony Bustillos turned himself in to police Wednesday after receiving a warrant for his arrest. Charles Gonsher, a 23-year-old, suffered brain hemorrhaging and broken facial bones after the second-degree assault on Saturday, March 6.
Sarah Huntley, spokesperson for the Boulder Police Department, said the victim is a CU alumnus.
“The victim is a CU graduate,” Huntley said. “There does not appear to be a connection between the victim and the suspect.”
According to the police report, Gonsher left the Walrus Saloon with a friend on the night of the assault at 12:45 a.m. While trying to secure a cab, Gonsher and his friend got into a confrontation with a group of three men. Bustillos is accused of then punching Gonsher in the face, rendering Gonsher unconscious for several minutes.
As cited in the news release, Gonsher’s doctors said he would have died without immediate medical attention.
Huntley said the police identified the suspect after a key tip from CU. The Boulder Police Department sent an e-mail through CU PD to students.
Huntley said no additional information could be released regarding the tip.
According to the news release, Bustillos is in the Boulder County Jail for second-degree assault.
Huntley said Bustillos will be held until bail is posted. Individuals who got arrested but are unable to post bail may seek the services of a bail bonds agency.
“He is being held until he can post bail,” Huntley said. “If not, there will be a hearing [Thursday] or [Friday] and court proceedings will go from there.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jennifer Retter at Jennifer.retter@colorado.edu.
