Springs Teens Say They Thought They Were Going To Die

Court documents shed light on what had three Colorado Springs teenagers running for their lives last week.

Arthur Baldwin, 38, was arrested Aug. 25 following an incident on Chokecherry Drive and charged with felony menacing and prohibited use of weapons. Police said Baldwin fired a weapon after becoming upset with the teens, who were going door to door to raise money for the Coronado High School football program.

According to court documents, one teen told police that after Baldwin had bought a discount card from the group, Baldwin grabbed his arm and started cursing. Baldwin was drunk according to court documents and, in the words of one teen, “acting crazy.”

Another teen said Baldwin was not making sense while they were at the door. The teen said Baldwin was saying, “This is the wrong place and the wrong time.”

The teens said they ran away from Baldwin’s porch but then realized they went the wrong direction and had to double back to get to their car. According to court documents, the teens passed Baldwin’s house again and he fired a handgun and yelled, “Get in the house. I’m going to shoot one of these kids.”

The teens told police they felt like their lives were in danger, with one telling police, “I thought he was going to kill us, so we just ran.”

Later, Baldwin claimed self-defense, according to police. They said Baldwin claims that upon peacefully exiting his home, he told the teens, “I don’t know why you can’t defend yourself. I didn’t even shoot anybody.”

Baldwin’s first appearance in court will be Sept. 19. He posted $2,000 bond and is out of jail.