STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting

Coordinates: 39°33′22″N 104°59′52″W / 39.5560°N 104.9979°W / 39.5560; -104.9979
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting
Location of STEM School Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch is located in Colorado
Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch (Colorado)
Highlands Ranch is located in the United States
Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch (the United States)
LocationHighlands Ranch, Colorado, U.S.
Coordinates39°33′22″N 104°59′52″W / 39.5560°N 104.9979°W / 39.5560; -104.9979
DateMay 7, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-05-07)
1:53 pm (MDT (UTC−6))
TargetStudents at STEM School Highlands Ranch
Attack type
Mass shooting, school shooting
Weapons
Deaths1 (Kendrick Castillo)
Injured8 (6 by the perpetrators, 2 by private contractor security)
PerpetratorsAlec McKinney[2] and Devon Erickson[3]
Motive

On May 7, 2019, a school shooting occurred at STEM School Highlands Ranch, a charter school located in Douglas County, Colorado, United States, in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch. One student was killed and eight others were injured. Sixteen-year-old Alec McKinney and eighteen-year-old Devon Erickson were convicted on dozens of charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.[4] It, along with the Columbine High School massacre, is one of the only 6 school shootings to be carried out by two individuals.

Background[edit]

The K-12 charter school held approximately 1,850 students.[5] At the time of the shooting, it had no police officer assigned to it and used private security instead.[6]

In December 2018, an anonymous parent reportedly called the Douglas County School Board of Education's director to express concerns regarding bullying and violence at the school.[7] A district official wrote a letter on December 19, 2018, urging the School Executive Director to investigate concerns to determine their legitimacy and to take any remedial action that may be appropriate.[8] The school has since filed a defamation lawsuit against the parent who had raised allegations suggesting that the school posed a risk of violence or a school shooting.[9]

On April 29, 2019, an edit was made to the Wikipedia entry for the STEM School Highlands Ranch, stating that "anti suicide programs are implemented [in the school] to help lower chances of suicide and school shootings." The following comment was added by an anonymous editor on the same day: "Do they work? We shall see". KDVR described this as "a possible warning". The IP address associated with the edit was traced to Littleton, Colorado, which is near where the shooting occurred, and no other Wikipedia edits were attributed to that particular IP address. Eventually, the comment was removed from the page.[10][11][12]

Shooting[edit]

At 1:53 pm, Erickson and McKinney entered the school carrying handguns and other weapons hidden in guitar cases.[6] They opened fire in two separate locations, shooting several students.[13] The school proceeded to announce a lockdown,[6] and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued a warning via Twitter to avoid the area, describing it as an "unstable situation".[14] Police responded to the school two minutes after the first 911 call and a bomb disposal robot was brought to the school after tactical gear was found inside one of the suspects' vehicles.[15] A direct two-way radio link from the school to Douglas County Sheriff's dispatch center is credited with the prompt response; the STEM School is one of only a few so equipped.[16]

According to a student, Devon Erickson allegedly pulled out a gun and yelled, "nobody move". Kendrick Ray Castillo jumped on him and was fatally shot in the chest.[17] Erickson was then subdued and disarmed by two other students. This occurred in the high school section of the school, while McKinney targeted the middle school section and wounded four students before being tackled by an armed security guard.[18]

McKinney told investigators, and later reaffirmed in an affidavit, that he had planned to commit suicide after, but his plan was thwarted when he realized he did not know how to release the safety mechanism on his handgun.[19][20] A video camera captured McKinney attempting suicide and struggling with the safety[21] before being confronted by a security guard, whose instructions to surrender McKinney complied with.[22]

Officers did not have to fire at the suspects prior to them being taken into custody, however, there was an instance of friendly fire during the response in which a private security guard reacted to a muzzle of a gun coming around the corner, that was later established to be held by a Douglas County Sheriffs deputy.[23] Authorities later confirmed that at least two handguns were used in the shooting, with three handguns and a rifle recovered. They also went to Erickson's home and seized a car with hand-painted graffiti that read "Fuck society" as well as "666" and a pentagram.[24]

Victims[edit]

One student was killed and eight others were injured in the shooting, two were in serious condition.[4] On 12 May, the last of the wounded students was released from the hospital.[25] Officials told reporters at the time that the youngest victim was 15 years old.[26] There were no staff deaths or injuries; all victims were students.[27]

At least three students, 18-year-old seniors Kendrick Castillo, Joshua Jones, and Brendan Bialy, lunged at an attacker, later identified as Erickson. The three students jumped from their desks and slammed the gunman against the wall. The shooter fired off several shots as they struggled with him. Castillo was killed in the process, the only student killed during the shooting. Jones was shot twice, receiving non-life-threatening injuries in his leg and hip. Bialy managed to wrestle the handgun away from the shooter during the struggle.[28][29][30][31][32]

Perpetrators[edit]

Devon Erickson's mugshot

The two suspects, who were students at the school,[33] were taken into custody in two separate locations following the shooting.[34][35] Local media outlets reported that the weapons used by the suspects were stolen from a parent, and that neither were known to law enforcement prior to the attack.[36] Some media outlets made an effort to avoid reporting the suspect's identities, in an effort to take part in the #NoNotoriety campaign, which seeks to avoid rewarding the shooters with recognition.[37]

One perpetrator, Devon Michael Erickson, was 18 at the time of the shooting.[38][39] According to an interview with one of the STEM school students, on repeated occasions, Erickson made jokes about school shootings and had even gone as far as to tell those around him, "don't come to school."[40] On Snapchat, Erickson used the screen name 'devonkillz'.[41] Erickson was booked on 30 criminal counts, which included one count of first degree murder and 29 counts of attempted first degree murder. He was held without bond pending his next court appearance.[24]

The other perpetrator was Alec McKinney,[2][42] a transgender boy.[43][44][45] He was 16 at the time of the shooting.[46]

On June 20, a statement was released that summarized police interviews with the two suspects. According to the statement, McKinney said he had been planning the attack for weeks, and Erickson said he learned about the attack the night before through Snapchat. Erickson said that McKinney threatened him and that he followed McKinney's plan because he feared for his life. McKinney said he planned to target two students in particular as they had bullied and ridiculed him due to his gender identity and called him "disgusting". McKinney said that "he wanted the kids at the school to experience bad things, have to suffer from the trauma like he has had to in his life." McKinney also stated he has heard voices and has suffered from homicidal and suicidal thoughts since the age of 12, and refused to take medication so that he "wouldn't feel alone". "The Voices Win" was found written in Erickson's house prior to the shooting. Both suspects said they used cocaine before the shooting.[47][48][49]

Legal proceedings[edit]

After the initial court appearance on May 8, Erickson and McKinney were each charged with 48 criminal counts—including first-degree murder after deliberation, arson and burglary—at a May 15 court hearing in the Douglas County court. McKinney was charged as an adult—though his lawyers tried to move his case to the juvenile court, the judge denied the motion.[50][51]

On January 2, 2020, Erickson pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and other charges. [52] On February 7, 2020, McKinney pleaded guilty to 17 charges in a plea bargain with the prosecution. On the first degree murder charge, he faced a minimum sentence of 40 years to life in prison, but could be eligible for release earlier than that if he enters a rehabilitation program and earns time off for good behavior. Due to his age he could not be given the death penalty or life without parole.[53][2] He was sentenced to life with a chance of parole in 40 years on May 18.[54]

Erickson's trial began on May 31, 2021.[52] He claimed that Erickson was an accomplice who was forced to commit the shooting. One of his defense attorneys said that he was a "confused kid" and "not a monster".[55] McKinney testified as a witness for the prosecution, saying that he and Erickson had planned the shooting for weeks and that videos of McKinney berating Erickson were staged so that Erickson could claim he had been forced into the shooting.[22]

On June 15, 2021, Erickson was convicted on 46 counts, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and supplying a juvenile with a handgun.[56] On September 17, 2021, Erickson was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 1,282 years.[57] Erickson is incarcerated at the Centennial Correctional Facility in Canon City Colorado and McKinney is incarcerated in the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility.[58]

Response[edit]

External videos
video icon Man Describes Scene After Shooting at STEM School in Colorado - NBC 9 NEWS

President Donald Trump issued a statement on Twitter the day after the shooting, thanking first responders for "bravely intervening" and writing, "We are in close contact with law enforcement".[59]

White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere issued a statement: "Our prayers are with the victims, family members, and all those affected" by the shooting, as did Republican Senator Cory Gardner: "The safety and comfort of our schools should never be taken away".[15] Democratic Representative Jason Crow said: "... we have a public health crisis on our hands ... It is not enough to send thoughts and prayers ... We must pass common-sense gun violence laws".[60][61]

Vigils, rallies, and memorials[edit]

Community gatherings were held after the shooting, which included an interfaith memorial vigil, a community service and dinner, and other memorials. During the vigil, a protest broke out and many students were heard saying "mental health".[62][63] A large portion of the students walked out of the event, which was organized by a local chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The walkout occurred after the students listened to speeches from members of the community and several politicians, who were perceived by the students to be more concerned with gun control than on the need to support the victims of the shooting.[64][unreliable source?][65]

One student wrote an opinion piece critical of the vigil, saying "many who attended this vigil desired to exploit our pain to support political agendas" and that there should have been more focus on "honoring Kendrick, 18, who rushed the shooter and was fatally shot".[66] Another interviewed shortly after the vigil claimed, "I understand calling for gun control but like these were handguns — these aren't AR-15s these kids are carrying. There's a law in Colorado you can't buy a handgun unless you're 21 – like how can you prevent that?"[36]

Two days after the shooting, a small local rally for increased school security was held.[67]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pampuro, Amanda (November 18, 2019). "Accused Colorado School Shooter Fights to Be Tried as a Minor". Courthouse News Service. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Donovan, Julia (February 7, 2020). "Alec McKinney, STEM School shooting suspect, pleads guilty". KRDO. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  3. ^ Arenas, Vicente (June 15, 2021). "Devon Erickson found guilty on all counts". Fox31 Denver. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "1 student dead, multiple injured in Highlands Ranch school shooting, multiple ranking sources say". The Denver Channel. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "About Us – About Us – STEM School Highlands Ranch". Stemk12.org. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Healy, Jack; Stack, Liam (May 7, 2019). "School Shooting in Colorado Leaves 1 Student Dead and 7 Injured". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  7. ^ Jojola, Jeremy (May 9, 2019). "'Perfect storm': District letter documents fears of another 'Columbine' at STEM School". KUSA. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  8. ^ Baumann, Beth (May 12, 2019). "STEM School Shooting Could Have Been Prevented If A Parent's Report Was Taken Seriously". Townhall. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  9. ^ "STEM School shooting suspects' court appearance delayed; school files defamation lawsuit against parent". FOX31 Denver. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Halsne, Chris (May 7, 2019). "Ominous note on STEM Wikipedia page a possible warning of school shooting". KDVR. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  11. ^ "Gunmen open fire at school near Denver, killing 1". BNO News. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  12. ^ O'Sullivan, Eilish (May 8, 2019). "Threatening text added to Wikipedia 8 days before STEM school shooting". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "1 Student Killed, Several Injured After Shooting At STEM School Highlands Ranch". Colorado Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  14. ^ Douglas County Sheriff's Office [@dcsheriff] (May 7, 2019). "Unstable situation, shots fired at STEM school at Ridgeline and Plaza. Avoid area. Media go to north side of AMC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ a b "1 student dead, multiple injured in Highlands Ranch school shooting, officials say". FOX2now.com. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  16. ^ Ford, Sarah; Schuppe, Jon (May 8, 2019). "Direct radio link was a lifesaver in Colorado school attack, sheriff says". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  17. ^ "Colorado school shooting: Student describes slain classmate tackling gunman". TODAY.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  18. ^ Emanuella Grinberg (May 8, 2019). "This sixth grader wanted to 'go down fighting' so he grabbed a bat during school shooting". CNN. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  19. ^ Paul, Jesse (June 20, 2019). "Revenge prompted deadly STEM School shooting, unsealed documents say; security guard accidentally wounded student". Colorado Sun.
  20. ^ Gruenauer, Jason (February 7, 2020). "Juvenile suspect in STEM School shooting pleads guilty". Denver 7 Colorado News. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Sherry, Allison (November 18, 2019). "Judge Rules There Is Probable Cause To Charge One Alleged STEM School Shooter On All Counts, Including 1st-Degree Murder". Colorado Public Radio.
  22. ^ a b Sherry, Allison (June 10, 2021). "'We Share Equal Responsibility' — Accused STEM Shooter's Co-Defendant Plays Role Before Prosecution, Defense Rest". Colorado Public Radio.
  23. ^ Vaughan, Kevin (May 10, 2019). "STEM School Highlands Ranch security guard saw muzzle of weapon, fired 2 rounds, sources say". KUSA. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  24. ^ a b Miller, Blair (May 8, 2019). "Suspect in STEM School shooting makes first court appearance". KMGH. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  25. ^ Samantha M., Fox (May 12, 2019). "Final patient from STEM shooting released from the hospital". FOX31 Denver. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  26. ^ Sheena Jones; Steve Almasy; Darran Simon (May 7, 2019). "Eight student injured in school shooting in suburban Denver, 2 students are in custody". CNN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  27. ^ "Sheriff gives update on STEM school shooting in Colorado". May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Romo, Vanessa; Gonzales, Richard (May 7, 2019). "1 Student Killed, 7 Injured In Colorado School Shooting". NPR. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  29. ^ Durkin, Erin (May 8, 2019). "'Best kid in the world': Denver school shooting victim died tackling suspect". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  30. ^ Khorri Atkinson; Rebecca Falconer (May 8, 2019). "Kendrick Ray Castillo identified as student killed in Colorado school shooting". Axios. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  31. ^ ""What he did was legendary": Colorado school shooting hero remembers the friend who acted first". CBS News. May 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  32. ^ Swensen, Jason (May 8, 2019). "Latter-day Saint 'hero' shot twice after rushing gunman at Colorado school shooting". Deseret News. Deseret News: Church News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  33. ^ "1 dead and 8 injured, 2 suspects in custody after shooting at STEM School in Highlands Ranch". denverpost.com. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  34. ^ "Denver: two suspects in custody following shooting at school". The Guardian. Associated Press. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  35. ^ Kirk Mitchell; Kieran Nicholson; Elise Schmelzer; Saja Hindi (May 7, 2019). "1 dead and 7 injured, 2 suspects in custody after shooting at STEM School in Highlands Ranch". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  36. ^ a b Baer, Stephanie (May 12, 2019). "STEM Students Want Change After The Colorado School Shooting, But First They Want To Mourn". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  37. ^ Hughes, Trevor; Lam, Kristin (May 10, 2019). "Colorado school shooting suspects to appear in court on Wednesday amid looming questions". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  38. ^ Keith Coffman (May 8, 2019). "Older of two students arrested in Colorado shooting appears in court". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  39. ^ "1 student dead, 8 injured in Highlands Ranch school shooting, officials say". The Denver Channel. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  40. ^ "Suspected Colorado STEM shooter joked about school shootings, students say". NBC News. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  41. ^ Torres, Andrea (May 8, 2019). "Accused Colorado school shooter identifies as 'devonkillz' on Snapchat". WPLG-ABC 10. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  42. ^ Turkewitz, Julie; Healy, Jack; Mazzei, Patricia (May 8, 2019). "Colorado School Shooting Victim Died Trying to Stop the Gunman". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  43. ^ "18-year-old ID'd as one of the suspects in STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting". The Denver Post. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  44. ^ Halaschak, Zachary (May 9, 2019). "Transgender suspect asks court to use pronoun 'he' in Colorado school shooting case". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  45. ^ Coffman, Keith (May 9, 2019). "Two students arrested in Colorado school shooting make first..." Reuters. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  46. ^ "Order Re: Motion for Reverse Transfer - Courthouse News" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 6, 2019.
  47. ^ Schmelzer, Elise (June 20, 2019). "STEM School shooting suspect told police he targeted specific students; teens used cocaine before attack, affidavit says". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  48. ^ "Affidavit: STEM School Shooting Suspect Wanted Students To 'Suffer Trauma Like He Has'". June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  49. ^ Determination of probable cause to detain (PDF) (Report). May 8, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  50. ^ "School Shooting Suspect Alec McKinney Charged As Adult: 48 Counts, 1st Degree Murder". 4CBS Denver. May 15, 2019. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  51. ^ "Accused 16-year-old STEM School shooter to stand trial as adult". December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  52. ^ a b Coffman, Keith (February 7, 2020). "Colorado Transgender Teen Pleads Guilty to Murder in School Revenge Case". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  53. ^ "Prosecutors won't seek death penalty against STEM school shooting suspect". KMGH. March 5, 2020. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  54. ^ Mansfield, Mollie (July 25, 2020). "LIFE FOR LIFE Transgender teen, 17, sentenced to life for Colorado shooting that left hero student who charged at him dead". The Sun. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  55. ^ "'Not A Monster': Devon Erickson's Defense Attorney Says STEM School Shooting Suspect Was 'Confused Kid'". Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  56. ^ Madani, Doha (June 16, 2021). "Colorado STEM school shooter guilty on 46 counts, including murder of Kendrick Castillo". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  57. ^ Contreras, Oscar (September 17, 2021). "Convicted STEM School shooter sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 1,282 years". The Denver Channel. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  58. ^ "CDOC Offender Search". www.doc.state.co.us. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  59. ^ "Donald Trump Twitter". Twitter. Donald Trump. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  60. ^ Foody, Kathleen. "1 dead, 8 hurt in Colorado school shooting, 2 in custody". Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  61. ^ Wingerter, Justin (May 8, 2019). "Trump briefed on "hateful and horrible acts of violence" at STEM School". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  62. ^ Tabachnik, Sam (May 9, 2019). "STEM School students protest political nature of vigil, prompting apology from gun control group". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  63. ^ "STEM School Shooting: Community Dinner And Vigils Planned For Wednesday Night". CBS Local. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  64. ^ "Colorado Students Walk Out of School Shooting Vigil as Politicians Take the Mics". FoxNews. May 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  65. ^ John Verhovek. "Colorado students walk out as school shooting vigil turns political". gma.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  66. ^ Argosino, Fischer (May 10, 2019). "Why I left the Colorado school shooting vigil: Students want change but first let us mourn". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  67. ^ "Parents press Douglas County school board for changes following STEM shooting". FOX31 Denver. May 11, 2019. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.

External links[edit]