One student has died and two suspects have been taken into custody Tuesday after a shooting left several students injured at a suburban Denver middle school, authorities said. At least seven of the wounded were listed in critical critical condition. Late Monday, officials said one of them died.
Police responded to the STEM School Highlands Ranch around 1:50 p.m. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said a quick response from officers “helped save lives.” The school is located approximately 8 miles from Columbine High School in neighboring Jefferson County.
Follow along for updates below:
Coroner confirms 18-year-old male student killed
Late Monday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said one student has died in wake of Tuesday’s shooting.
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“The immediate family has been notified,” the sheriff wrote online.
The coroner has not identified the 18-year-old victim.
“Controlled chaos”: Worried parents waiting to reunite with students
Students were reunited with parents at a nearby rec center Tuesday. Some told CBS Denver just how worried they were after the shooting broke out.
“Some parents were crying, but it seemed to be controlled chaos,” said one mother. “He’s my child, I don’t think I’m going to be okay until I have him.”
“I just want to see him. I want him to see me, I want him to see me,” said another mother. “I’m just hoping it’s not as bad as it could be.”
Police recover handgun
Police said two male suspects were taken into custody and they do not believe anyone else was involved in the shooting. They believe one suspect is a juvenile and one is an adult.
In a Tuesday evening news conference, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock declined to offer further details until the two suspects were “positively identified.”
Spurlock said deputies recovered a handgun from the suspects but wouldn’t comment further on weapons used in the attack. He said police were working with the local district attorney to obtain search warrants for the homes and vehicles of both suspects.
The crime scene is being managed by FBI crime scene unit, Spurlock said, adding that members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Department of Homeland Security are assisting.
8 students injured, 7 in critical condition
Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said eight students were injured and seven were in critical condition. He said the victims ages ranged from 15 years old and up.
Spurlock said all but one student was reunited with their families and police would not be releasing the students’ names.
Students evacuate STEM school Highlands Ranch
Students evacuated STEM School Highlands Ranch and were bussed to a parking lot at a nearby recreation center to be picked up by their parents. The charter school teaches from kindergarten up to high school.
STEM high school student speaks out
CBS Denver spoke with a STEM School Highlands Ranch student who was standing in a nearby parking lot when he saw an officer go in with a rifle. The student, whose name is Adam, described it as “shocking.”
“We heard there was a lockdown but we thought it was a drill until we saw the officer with the patrol rifle and tons of other police cars coming our way,” Adam said.
“We didn’t really expect something like this. We didn’t hear any sort of threats. There’s a lot of things wandering in our minds – ‘Who could’ve done this? Why did it happen?'” Adam said.
Colorado governor says they are “monitoring in real time”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement saying his office is “monitoring the situation in real time.”
At least 2 suspects in custody
Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth told CBS News two suspects are in custody. Authorities don’t believe there is a third suspect.
Nicholson said multiple students were injured and officers were still clearing the school.
