STORY UPDATED: Click here to read what we know about the shooters, victim, and heroes from the shooting.
Gunfire broke out in two classrooms at STEM School Highlands Ranch in a Denver suburb at 1:50 p.m. today, killing one person and wounding seven others. Eighteen-year-old Kendrick Castillo has died. The two students identified as the shooters – one adult, 18-year-old Devon Erickson, and one minor — were taken into custody. The school had more than 1,850 students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Those injured were 15 and older.
Law enforcement arrived within minutes, with shooting still taking place. Deputies were able to take the shooters into custody.
The recovery of a handgun is being reported at this time, with further information awaiting release. Currently, a bomb squad robot is searching the suspects’ cars in the school parking lot.
Per AP News, “Three area hospitals reported treating eight people in connection with the attack. Two were listed in serious condition, two were listed as stable, one was in good condition and three were released.”
Governor Jared Polis released a statement about the incident saying, “We are making all of our public safety resources available to assist the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in their effort to secure the site and evacuate the students. We are monitoring the situation in real time. The heart of all Colorado is with the victims and their families.”
Just released from the White House via Twitter:
Concerns over the growing incidences of school shootings and violence was addressed just yesterday when Cory Booker announced a multi-tiered plan that could curb such occurrences. Today, the New Jersey senator tweeted, “My heart aches. Another day, another school shooting. Every hour we wait more people are murdered—we have to pass comprehensive gun safety reform.”
Sources:
AP News
Denver 7 Twitter Updates
Denver 7 Channel
Governor Jared Polis’ Office
The Denver Post
Judd Deere, White House Deputy Press Secretary via Twitter @JuddPDeere45
Cory Booker’s Twitter @corybooker
Photo sources: Top Image CNN/YouTube; CBS/YouTube