A Colorado man who carried out a series of random stabbing attacks, including an attack on a 7-year-old boy inside a Walmart, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Luke Barkhaus, 33, received the sentence Monday in Douglas County following the January 2025 attacks in Parker. According to prosecutors, three people were injured in separate incidents, and the victims included a restaurant employee, another person attacked at a local business and a child who was shopping with his family at Walmart.
The Colorado Judicial Branch lists Barkhaus’ sentencing hearing in Douglas County on Aug. 24.
Child was shopping for candy when he was attacked
The Walmart attack happened while the 7-year-old was with his mother and a sibling. According to the arrest affidavit described by prosecutors, the family had gone to the store to buy toys.
After shopping for about 30 minutes, the family was near the checkout area when the mother told the children they could choose some candy. The boy was looking for a Push Pop when Barkhaus approached from behind.
The child later told investigators that he heard footsteps before being attacked. His mother soon realized that he was bleeding from the side of his head and called for help.
Prosecutors said Barkhaus slashed the boy from behind without warning before leaving the area.
The child was expected to recover, and authorities later said all three victims survived their injuries. Denver7 previously reported that at least one of the other victims was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Three attacks happened in Parker
According to prosecutors, the Walmart incident was part of a series of attacks that began with a restaurant employee being stabbed. About an hour later, another person was attacked at a separate business before the incident involving the child at Walmart.
Police later connected the attacks to Barkhaus. He was arrested in Aurora two days after the January 2025 incidents after investigators tracked the suspect’s vehicle.
Barkhaus initially pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him. The case later resulted in convictions for two counts of first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and felony child abuse, according to Denver7’s report on his sentencing.
Prosecutors said he attacked for the “rush”
Prosecutors said Barkhaus later gave a disturbing explanation for the attacks, telling them he wanted the experience of stabbing someone.
The district attorney’s office said he described his motivation as seeking a “rush.” Prosecutors also said he indicated he would have continued attacking people if police had not stopped him.
At sentencing, 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said the attacks were carried out against innocent people without an apparent personal connection between Barkhaus and the victims.
Barkhaus also has an extensive criminal history, along with a history of substance abuse and mental health issues, according to prosecutors. The district attorney said Barkhaus attributed his conduct in part to years of huffing.
Parker Police Chief Jim Tsurapas previously credited investigators and deputies involved in identifying Barkhaus and taking him into custody.
The 40-year prison sentence now ends the criminal case stemming from the January 2025 attacks, keeping Barkhaus behind bars for decades after three people were randomly targeted in Parker.
