Two East High School faculty members shot by student
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Denver East High School on Wednesday. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
Two school administrators were injured in a shooting by a Black, male student at Denver East High School on Wednesday, police said during a morning news briefing.
The latest: Authorities say the alleged 17-year-old gunman was found dead in Park County on Wednesday night. A law enforcement source told 9News he died of an apparent suicide.
Driving the news: Denver Public Schools confirmed on social media that two school administrators had been shot just before 10am and were transported to area hospitals.
- Denver police chief Ron Thomas said the male student was enlisted in a safety plan that required he be patted down daily before entering the school. As he was patted down Wednesday, he pulled out a gun and shot two administrators, then fled.
- One of the injured administrator remains in serious condition after undergoing surgery. The other was listed in good condition and discharged from the hospital, according to Denver Health.
Of note: Paramedics were already on campus responding to a student having an allergic reaction at the time of the shooting. Officials said they played a key role in quickly responding to the administrators' injuries and getting them help.
DPS began releasing students shortly before 11:30am. Officials tweeted parents can pick their kids up at 17th and Esplanade or if students drove they will be escorted to their cars. Others who ride buses will be held until they arrive.
What's next: Superintendent Alex Marrero announced classes at East High will be canceled for the rest of the week.
- Two officers will be assigned to East for the remainder of the school year, Thomas said.
- Marrero also penned a letter to school board members to say he is "committing to having an armed officer at each comprehensive high school," our partners at Chalkbeat report.
The big picture: The shooting comes after East High student Luis Garcia was shot in February near the school's campus. He died March 1.
- Students across the city are calling for more safety measures in schools.