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.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • May 09, 2019

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

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • 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.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.