On December 15, 2025, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested the suspect responsible for a series of shootings that targeted multiple local car dealerships spanning from November 7th to December 15th.
During several evening incidents, the suspect allegedly drove by the businesses and fired multiple rounds from a firearm out of their vehicle window, striking dealership buildings. Fortunately, the shootings occurred after hours, and no one was inside the businesses at the time.
Our Special Investigations Section (SIS) utilized Flock Safety cameras along with surveillance footage provided by the affected dealerships to track the suspect vehicle and obtain a license plate. This investigative work ultimately led to the identification of the suspect.
A search warrant was obtained, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Multiple firearms were recovered, and the vehicle used in the shootings was impounded. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Westminster Police Department and their SWAT team for their assistance in safely taking the suspect into custody.
The suspect, 38-year-old Matthew Schwettman of Westminster, was arrested on the following charges:
• Criminal Mischief ($20,000–$99,999) – Felony 4
• Seven (7) counts of Illegal Discharge of a Firearm – Felony 5
“This person was an absolute danger to our community. Regardless of whether the buildings were occupied, randomly firing into businesses is a recipe for tragedy. It was only a matter of time before a stray bullet seriously injured or killed someone. I am extremely proud of our investigations team, who worked multiple days to identify this suspect, build a solid case, and take him into custody.”- Sheriff Weekly
This case highlights the importance of technology, partnerships with local businesses, and the dedication of our deputies to keeping our community safe.
Investigators are continuing to review all available evidence to determine whether the suspect may be connected to additional drive-by shooting incidents.
Note: This is an active and ongoing investigation. This is the only information authorized for release at this time. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
