Crime

Teen suspect fled after two administrators shot at Denver high school

A 17-year-old suspect fled after two administrators at a Denver high school were shot. Armed officers were deployed to schools.

Emergency crews respond to East High School in Denver, Colorado.
Scripps News Denver
SMS

Two administrators were shot and wounded in a shooting at a high school in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday morning. 

The student suspect was on the run after he fled the scene, police said, as they released information on the suspect and a photo in their efforts to find him.

Late on Wednesday as police searched for the suspect Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said a body was found, Scripps News Denver reported

The Associated Press reported that Denver high schools would now have armed officers deployed to help protect students.

Police said a vehicle they believe to be connected to the suspect was located in a remote mountain area about 50 miles southwest of Denver.  

The 17-year-old suspect is described as a Black male standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. 

He was wearing a green hoodie at the time he fled and police said he could have been driving a 2005 red Volvo XC90 with license plate number BSC-W10 when he was first trying to escape the scene, according to a Metro Denver Crime Stoppers bulletin.

DPD Police Chief Ron Thomas said during a press conference that the report of a shooting came in at 9:50 a.m. and officers, as well as medical personnel, quickly responded to East High School, which was put on lockdown.

After a Scripps News guns investigation, Congress takes note
After a Scripps News guns investigation, Congress takes note

After a Scripps News guns investigation, Congress takes note

A Scripps News investigation found children are increasingly bringing guns to schools. Now Congress wants to do more about it.

LEARN MORE

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said paramedics were inside the school and started helping the two injured faculty members immediately. Hancock said he believes this will play a huge role in their recovery.

Thomas described one of the deans' condition as serious but stable. He said the other person is in surgery in critical condition. They have not been identified.

Thomas said the suspect was under a safety plan where he had to be patted down and searched in a front office before school each day. He said this had happened every day for a while without a problem, but on Wednesday, this student allegedly pulled a firearm and shot and injured the two deans before running away. 

Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said East High School will not have classes on Thursday and Friday.

"In terms of what we can expect at East from here until the end of the school year, in collaboration with Chief Thomas and with support from our mayor and also communicated this to the Board of Education that we will have two armed officers here at East until the end of the school year," he said.

Earlier this month, East High School students walked out of class and walked to the Colorado State Capitol to demand and end to gun violence. 

Their classmate, Luis Garcia, 16, was shot in February while inside a parked car near the school on the afternoon of Feb. 13. He died after a 17-day fight for his life in the hospital.

This story was originally reported by Scripps News Denver.

Dry erase boards that convert to gun shelters tested in classrooms
Dry erase boards that convert to gun shelters tested in classrooms

Dry erase boards that convert to gun shelters tested in classrooms

Multiple classrooms in Alabama have now been fitted with dry erase boards for lessons that convert to gun shelters in an active shooter emergency.

LEARN MORE