Shirtless man arrested after Highlands Ranch woman stabbed; shelter-in-place lifted

Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after a Highlands Ranch woman was stabbed multiple times Tuesday morning near Wagon Box Circle and McArthur Ranch Road, prompting a temporary shelter-in-place for nearby residents.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene on the morning of Jan. 14 after the woman was found with multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a nearby hospital and was expected to survive her injuries. The suspect initially fled the scene, leading the sheriff’s office to order neighbors around the Southridge Recreation Center to shelter in place while deputies conducted a search.

The shelter-in-place advisory covered residents on the north side of McArthur Ranch Road from Rock Canyon High School and asked people to stay inside with doors locked and to call 911 to report suspicious activity. Deputies lifted the shelter-in-place shortly before 7 a.m. after locating and arresting one shirtless man during a neighborhood search. The sheriff’s office said there was no ongoing threat to the public once the suspect was in custody.

The incident disrupted morning routines for families and commuters in the Southridge and McArthur Ranch corridors, an area that includes schools and recreation facilities frequently used by local residents. Rock Canyon High School and the Southridge Recreation Center sit close to the scene, raising immediate concerns among parents and people who use the recreation center for early-morning activities. Local roads in the immediate area were affected temporarily as deputies searched neighborhoods.

For residents, the episode underscores the value of following emergency instructions from law enforcement and reporting suspicious behavior promptly. The sheriff’s office response - rapid deployment, a targeted shelter-in-place advisory, and a neighborhood search that resulted in an arrest - reflected standard protocols designed to limit public exposure while officers locate suspects and secure the area.

Authorities did not release the arrested man’s name or additional details about the motive or charges as of the shelter-in-place lift. The sheriff’s office said it continues to investigate the circumstances of the stabbing. Neighbors and community leaders will likely be watching for updates on charges and the outcome of the investigation as officials provide further information.

What happens next for residents is continued communication from law enforcement and local schools about safety, and a close-following of investigative updates. The arrest and the assurance of no ongoing threat should offer short-term relief, but the community can expect further details from the sheriff’s office as the case proceeds.