A man accused of planning a mass shooting at a popular Colorado ski resort is now also facing multiple charges tied to fentanyl distribution that allegedly led to the deaths of two Steamboat Springs residents.
Nathaniel “Nathan” Zabik, 44, of unincorporated Breckenridge, was arrested earlier this month by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office after authorities say he made threats to carry out a mass shooting at Breckenridge resort through Facebook posts and private messages. On Monday, the Steamboat Springs Police Department said Zabik is also linked to a group accused of selling fentanyl that killed two people in Steamboat Springs.
Police said Zabik, along with Benjamin Tabor, 48, of Avon, and Matthew Bentley, 37, of Riverbank, California, allegedly sold fentanyl that later resulted in at least two deaths. All three are now facing multiple charges, including distributing fentanyl resulting in death, which police described as “the most severe drug felony under Colorado law.”
If convicted, the suspects could face sentences ranging from eight to 32 years in prison. If the case is charged and prosecuted federally, the potential sentence increases to 20 years to life behind bars.
Steamboat Springs police said the suspects were identified following a months-long investigation, but noted that “out of respect and compassion for the victims’ families, their names are being withheld.” Authorities said the suspects were identified and arrested by a multi-agency task force spanning Colorado and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in California.
In Zabik’s case related to the alleged threats against Breckenridge Ski Resort, he faces the following charges:
- 2 counts of inciting destruction of life or property, a class 6 felony
- 2 counts of menacing with a weapon, a class 5 felony
- 2 counts of harassment, a class 2 misdemeanor
He’s being held in the Summit County Detention Facility on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
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