1 Student Dead, 8 Injured in Shooting at Colorado STEM School Highlands Ranch

1 Student Dead, 8 Injured in Shooting at Colorado STEM School Highlands Ranch

One student is dead and eight others were injured after a shooting Tuesday at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in Highlands Ranch, Colo., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said. Two suspects are in custody.

One student is dead and eight others were injured after a shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in Highlands Ranch, Colo., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said. Two suspects are in custody.

According to Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, two shooters walked into the campus’s high school at about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday and opened fire in “two separate locations.”

Spurlock said that administrators called the dispatch center as soon as gunfire was heard in the school, and the campus was placed on lockdown.

Deputies arrived two minutes later and found the two suspects, continuing to shoot, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The suspects were taken into custody separately.

Spurlock said no gunfire was exchanged between deputies and the suspects, and no law enforcement members were injured.

"I have to believe that the quick response of the officers that got inside that school helped save lives," he said.

Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and ATF also responded to the incident to help with the investigation.

The sheriff’s office initially said both suspects were male, but said Wednesday morning that the second suspect is a female. Spurlock said the suspects were believed to be students at the school.

According to Spurlock, the STEM School Highlands Ranch does not have a dedicated school resource officer, instead contracting out its security staff.

Class will be canceled at the campus through the end of the week. All other schools in Douglas County will remain open, with heightened security.

"This is a terrible event," Spurlock said. "This is something that no one wants to have happen in their community ... and we will get to the bottom of it to figure out how and what has occurred."

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.