Two students are being held as suspects after nine people were shot on Tuesday afternoon at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in Denver, Colorado, one of them fatally.
According to the New York Times, two individuals entered the school armed with guns yesterday, proceeding to engage students in two separate locations.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed last night that one of the nine who had been shot, an 18-year-old man, had died.
Shooting Reported At STEM School In Douglas County https://t.co/JMUmw4wbdb pic.twitter.com/QESIq3x7IQ
— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) May 7, 2019
Speaking at a news conference, Sheriff Tony Spurlock of Douglas County, said: “We know two individuals walked into the STEM school, got deep inside the school and engaged students in two separate locations.”
Within minutes, deputies from the sheriff’s department had entered the school and apprehended the two suspects after a struggle. Neither of the assailants were injured in the arrest.
This is the most heartbreaking photo I have ever taken. These children are watching police clear their school after eight students were shot at the STEM high school next door. #highlandsranchshooting pic.twitter.com/sdAifNi6Ww
— Ashley Michels (@ReporterAshley) May 8, 2019
“As officers were arriving at the school, they could still hear gunshots,” Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth said.
Late on Tuesday night, one of the suspects was identified as 18-year-old Devon Erickson, but the sheriff’s office refused to provide more information about him until interviews have been conducted.
According to Sheriff Spurlock, the suspects entered the school with a handgun and other weapons, before confronting law enforcement officers when they responded.
How many more kids will have to run from a shooter?
How many more will have to message their family from a hiding place?
How many more families will have their lives forever altered by tragedy?
Our children deserve better. #stemshooting https://t.co/ubJgR4PYCK
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) May 7, 2019
“I can tell you that there were shots fired,” he said. “Our officers went in and engaged the suspects. We did struggle with the suspects to take them into custody.”
A total of nine people were shot in the incident, with five of them having been transported to the Littleton Adventist Hospital in Colorado. Two of them remain in a serious condition there, while the other three have been discharged.
Sky Ridge Medical Center, meanwhile, said two children were transported there and are in a stable condition. Children’s Hospital Colorado confirmed one victim had been treated and released on site.
We’re sending our thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families. How many more times must this happen before something is changed?
Share this article to send well wishes to all involved! Let’s stand together.
