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Denver school shooting: School board lifts ban on armed guards as students protest at Colorado Capitol

The Denver school board has lifted its ban on armed guards and police officers in its schools in the wake of this week’s shooting.

On Thursday, the board voted unanimously in favour of temporarily suspending the almost two-year ban which was put in place as part of the racial reckoning after George Floyd’s 2020 murder.

The same day, a crowd of students held a rally at the Colorado state Capitol calling on lawmakers to take greater action on gun control and school safety following Wednesday’s violence.

Austin Lyle, a 17-year-old student, allegedly shot two faculty members at East High School on Wednesday morning while he was being searched for weapons.

The teenager had been required to be patted down each day at school due to his record, police said.

After the shooting, Lyle allegedly killed himself while on the run from police.

His body was found hours later in some woods close to his abandoned red Volvo.

The two victims – Eric Sinclair, a dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice – were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. Mr Sinclair remains in critical condition while Mr Mason was later released after treatment.

Key Points

  • Body found in search for suspect

  • Denver shooting revives calls for armed officers in school

  • Austin Lyle had prior ghost guns arrest

  • One faculty member remains critical

  • Shooting took place during ‘security search’ of student

  • Will more police in schools stop shootings?

Two staff members shot in active shooter incident at a Denver high school

Wednesday 22 March 2023 17:41 , Graig Graziosi

A pair of faculty members were shot at a Denver high school, and the suspect — believed to be a student — is still at large.

Police were called to East High School in Denver around 10am on Wednesday to respond to a shooting. The school was placed on lockdown as a result.

It is unclear if the shooting occurred inside or outside the school.

The Denver Public School district revealed that the victims were both adult male facutly members, and they have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The suspected shooter is reportedly known to the school’s staff and to police, and had to agree to a pat-down before entering school each day, according to CBS News.

Read more:

Two staff members shot in active shooter incident at a Denver high school

VIDEO: Denver Mayor gives update on victims

Wednesday 22 March 2023 17:50 , Gustaf Kilander

Congressman alerted to shooting while introducing legislation to combat gun violence

Wednesday 22 March 2023 18:05 , Gustaf Kilander

Florida Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost tweeted that he was walking to introduce a bill aimed at fighting gun violence when the news broke of the Denver shooting.

“Ran into students from @NewtownAction as I was walking to introduce my first bill to tackle gun violence. During my walk, news broke of a school shooting in Denver, CO at East High School. We really are #GenerationLockdown,” he wrote.

“What the hell. Kids are literally on the frontlines of this crisis. I won’t rest until we #EndGunViolence,” he added.

Colorado Democrat responds after learning of shooting

Wednesday 22 March 2023 18:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Colorado Representative Jason Crow tweeted that he was “shocked to hear that 2 faculty members were shot outside Denver’s East High School. Our thoughts are with the victim’s families and the entire East High community — my team & I will be monitoring the situation as we learn more”.

Police: 2 school administrators shot at Denver high school

Wednesday 22 March 2023 18:35 , AP

Two school administrators were shot at a Denver high school Wednesday morning after a handgun was found during a search of a student, authorities said.

The juvenile suspect remained at large and the gun was not immediately recovered following the shooting at East High School, Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

The shooting happened at around 10 a.m. in an area away from classrooms as the student was undergoing a daily search as part of a “safety plan,” officials said. One of the administrators was critically injured and is undergoing surgery. The second victim was in stable condition, Thomas said.

Police know who shooter is and is confident of possible arrest

Wednesday 22 March 2023 18:50 , Gustaf.Kilander

Police know the identity of the suspect and were confident they would apprehend him, Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

“He obviously is armed and dangerous and willing to use the weapon, as we’ve learned this morning,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, warning the community as they search for the suspect.

Earlier this month students from the school skipped class and marched to Colorado’s state Capitol to demand stricter gun laws, following the death of a fellow student who was shot while sitting in a car near the school.

Suspect subject to daily searches after recently transferring from other school district

Wednesday 22 March 2023 19:05 , AP

The suspect in Wednesday’s shooting had transferred to East High School from another district, Denver Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said. Officials did not reveal why the student was subject to daily searches.

The school, not far from downtown near a busy street that cuts through the city, was placed on lockdown as police investigated the shooting.

Denver Public School confirmed the victims were administrators. Hundreds of parents lined up along a road near the school, with the scene sealed off by police.

Wednesday was the second anniversary of 10 people being shot and killed at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

Shooting took place during 'security search’

Wednesday 22 March 2023 19:20 , Gustaf Kilander

The shooting took place during a “security search,” Denver police Chief Ron Thomas said, according to The Denver Post.

This was “a regular protocol with this student” based on previous actions. During the search, a gun was located.

The student fired the gun at about 9.50am “and was able to get out of the school”.

“We don’t have any sense of where he is. We know where he lives,” the chief said, adding that it was “a very troubling situation”.

‘We know who the suspect is. We will find him. We will hold him accountable'

Wednesday 22 March 2023 19:40 , Gustaf Kilander

DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero said at a press briefing on Wednesday that when school starts again, “we will have two armed officers here at East until the end of the school year. We’re looking forward to expanding that conversation to see how we can reestablish a relationship” with the police.

“We know who the suspect is. We will find him. We will hold him accountable,” Mayor Michael Hancock said, according to The Denver Post.

Denver Schools releases statement

Wednesday 22 March 2023 20:00 , Graig Graziosi

Denver Schools released a statement following the shooting.

“We are working with the Denver Police Department to ensure the safety and security of our students. Additional communications will be shared with students and families as we know more. We cannot provide further comments at this time,” the school said.

VIDEO: Fox News reporter embraces son as he exits East High School

Wednesday 22 March 2023 20:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Alicia Acuna is a reporter in the Denver bureau for Fox News.

Her son attends East High School and she became emotional as she caught up with him live on the air while reporting on the shooting on Wednesday.

Mayor speaks to fears of parents: 'We feel for them’

Wednesday 22 March 2023 21:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Mayor Michael Hancock addressed the fears of parents for their children when he spoke on Wednesday.

“We feel for them… There should never be a concern of parents that they are safe in the building,” he said, according to The Denver Post.

Denver Public Schools tweeted this morning that the school had gone into lockdown.

“All students are in their third-period classrooms,” the district said. “We are holding them there until further notice.”

They later announced that “we will be doing a controlled release once DPD allows” and that parents could collect their kids at 17th Avenue and Esplanade.

“Students who drove will be escorted to their cars in the parking lot and can leave. Students who ride the bus will be held until their bus arrives,” the district said at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

Suspect identified in Denver shooting

Wednesday 22 March 2023 22:06 , Josh Marcus

Police are searching for 17-year-old Austin Lyle in connection with a Wednesday school shooting in Denver, Colorado, that injured two school administrators.

Police described the teen as a Black male, about 5 feet, 5 inches, who was last seen wearing a green hoodie and may be driving a red 2005 Volvo XC90, Fox News reports.

A reward of $2,000 has been offered for information leading to the alleged gunman’s arrest.

‘It’s something that everybody has to worry about,’ student says after hiding in 7/11

Wednesday 22 March 2023 23:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Student Anae Hernandez told The Denver Post that she was outside the school when she saw an ambulance and one of the wounded members of faculty on a stretcher.

She was told that a shooting had taken place and she hid in a 7/11.

“It’s scary,” she told the paper. “It keeps us from our learning time.”

“I feel like it’s something that everybody has to worry about here a lot,” she added. “Because this is not like something that just happens once in a while. This is a recurring theme and it’s not something that should be going on.”

Her grandmother Jeannie Hernandez told the paper that “last time, I just hugged them and hugged them and told them how sorry I was”.

Colorado Senator issues statement on shooting: ‘No one should have to live with the daily fear of gun violence'

Thursday 23 March 2023 00:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Colorado Democratic Senator Michael Bennett issued a statement on Twitter following the East High School shooting.

“I’m saddened to hear about two staff members who were shot at East High School,” he said. “I’m thinking of the kids, parents, teachers, and staff at East, and the entire Denver community at this time. No one should have to live with the daily fear of gun violence like this.”

Father says this year has been ‘relentless’ for East High School students amidst multiple lockdowns

Thursday 23 March 2023 02:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The father of a senior at East High School has told The Denver Post that the last few months have been “relentless” for students at the school as they have gone through multiple lockdowns following a previous shooting last month.

Luis Garcia was shot while he was sitting in his car near the school on 13 February. He died from his injuries on 1 March.

Students have said they have been placed on lockdown several times since that shooting and a firearm was found on campus the day after students went back to classes.

False reports of threats have been sent to the school twice since autumn.

Ben Roy is the father of a senior at the school. He told The Post that this year has been “relentless” for the students.

“It feels like every other week there’s been a perimeter lockdown,” he said on Wednesday. “It’s just constant.”

“I think what scares them, for my son, is how little he reacts now,” he added. “He’s grown numb to it and at other times anxious. I hate this is the world we’ve made for them.”

PHOTOS: Students reunite with parents after shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 03:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Parents wait for students to be walked out after two administrators shot and wounded after a handgun was found during a daily search of a student at Denver East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023 (AP)
Parents wait for students to be walked out after two administrators shot and wounded after a handgun was found during a daily search of a student at Denver East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023 (AP)
Isabella DeJoseph, 15, center left, is embraced by her mother Alana as they leave East High School after a school shooting, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Isabella DeJoseph, 15, center left, is embraced by her mother Alana as they leave East High School after a school shooting, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A student, right, hugs a parent as they are reunited following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A student, right, hugs a parent as they are reunited following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A student, rear, hugs a woman as they reunite following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A student, rear, hugs a woman as they reunite following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)

No school resource officers on campus at time of shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 05:00 , AP

There were no school resource officers on campus at the time of Wednesday’s shooting, Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

But following the shooting, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said two armed officers will be posted at East High School through the end of the school year.

In June 2020, amid a summer of protests over racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd, Denver Public Schools became one of the districts around the US that decided to phase out its use of police officers in school buildings.

That push was fueled by criticism that school resource officers disproportionately arrested Black students, sweeping them into the criminal justice system.

Gun violence at schools has become increasingly common in the U.S. with more than 1,300 shootings recorded between 2000 and June 2022, according to researchers from the Naval Postgraduate School and Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Those shootings killed 377 people and wounded 1,025, according to a database maintained by the researchers.

PHOTOS: Students meet with parents after shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 06:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, center right, and Chief of Police Ron Thomas, center left, meet with concerned parents as they wait to be reunited with their children following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, center right, and Chief of Police Ron Thomas, center left, meet with concerned parents as they wait to be reunited with their children following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A Denver Police officer directs parents to meet their children following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A Denver Police officer directs parents to meet their children following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Two women hug when reunited following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Two women hug when reunited following a shooting at East High School, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Students are walked out of East High School following a shooting, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Students are walked out of East High School following a shooting, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)

Denver school suspect shooter found dead - report

Thursday 23 March 2023 07:38 , Shweta Sharma

The 17-year-old boy suspected of shooting two administrators at the Denver high school was found dead in an apparent suicide, reported 9News.

It comes after Park County police confirmed a body was found yesterday night in the Colorado woods near the abandoned car that belonged to a 17-year-old student.

But the police did not identify the body.

A law enforcement source told 9News that the body was of the suspect, Austin Lyle, who died of suicide.

Students from East High School were set to testify before Colorado Legislature on gun safety bills.

Thursday 23 March 2023 08:00 , AP

Students from East High School had been scheduled to testify Wednesday afternoon before the Colorado Legislature on gun safety bills.

“This is the reality of being young in America: sitting through a shooting and waiting for information just hours before you’re scheduled to testify in support of gun safety bills,” said Gracie Taub, a 16-year-old East High School sophomore and volunteer with Students Demand Action in Colorado.

“Our school experience should not be completely shaped by gun violence,” she added.

Victims identified

Thursday 23 March 2023 08:30 , Rachel Sharp

The two victims have now been identified as Eric Sinclair, a dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice.

The two male faculty members were both shot during the Wednesday morning incident at East Denver High School.

They were rushed to hospital.

Mr Sinclair remains in critical condition while Mr Mason was later released from hospital after treatment.

PHOTOS: Parents meet students after East High School shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 09:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Denver Police Department Chief Ron Thomas stands outside of East High School after a school shooting Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
Denver Police Department Chief Ron Thomas stands outside of East High School after a school shooting Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A parent hugs a student as they are reunited after a school shooting at East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A parent hugs a student as they are reunited after a school shooting at East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A man holds hands with a student following their reunion after a school shooting at East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)
A man holds hands with a student following their reunion after a school shooting at East High School Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver (AP)

Coroner identifies body as suspect Austin Lyle

Thursday 23 March 2023 10:40 , Rachel Sharp

On Thursday morning, the Park County coroner’s office confirmed that a body found in the search for the gunman was that of suspect Austin Lyle.

Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said on Wednesday night that police had located a male body in some woods close to an abandoned red Volvo associated with the 17-year-suspect.

The sheriff said that the body had not yet been identified as belonging to the student but a shelter-in-place was lifted for residents in the Park County area.

Early on Thursday, the coroner confirmed the body belongs to Lyle.

The coroner said that an investigation is now under way into his death and that no further details will be provided until an autopsy was completed.

Full story: Student gunman found dead

Thursday 23 March 2023 11:15 , Rachel Sharp

The student accused of shooting two staff members at a high school in Denver, Colorado – leaving one in critical condition – has now been found dead.

Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said on Wednesday night that police had located a male body in some woods close to an abandoned red Volvo associated with 17-year-suspect Austin Lyle.

The sheriff said that the body had not yet been identified as belonging to the student but a shelter-in-place was lifted for residents in the Park County area.

On Thursday morning, the county’s coroner’s office confirmed that the body was that of Lyle.

Read the full story here:

Denver school shooting suspect Austin Lyle found dead after manhunt

‘Clearly they were concerned’: Professor says daily searches indicate ‘history of the kid carrying a weapon’

Thursday 23 March 2023 11:45 , Rachel Sharp

The suspect in Wednesday’s shooting had transferred to East High School from another district, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said.

Officials did not reveal why the student was being searched daily.

Marrero said safety plans for students are enacted in response to “past educational and also behavioral experiences,” adding that it’s a common practice throughout Colorado’s public schools.

But daily pat downs are rare, said Matthew McClain with the Colorado School Counselor Association, and Franci Crepeau-Hobson, a University of Colorado Denver professor specializing in school violence prevention.

“Clearly they were concerned,” said Crepeau-Hobson. “I can’t imagine they’d do that if there wasn’t a history of the kid carrying a weapon for whatever reason.”

School safety plans are often imposed after students exhibit threatening or suicidal behavior, said Christine Harms, director of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center. A team that can include counselors, administrators and police officers assesses the possible threat and develops a safety plan, which can include mental health support, more supervision and searches, she said.

Suspect was arrested over ghost gun two years before shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp

The student accused of shooting two staff members at a high school in Denver, Colorado, before allegedly killing himself had been arrested for possession of a ghost gun two years earlier.

Austin Lyle, 17, allegedly shot Eric Sinclair, dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice, at East High School in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday morning.

Following an hours-long manhunt to track down the student, Lyle’s body was discovered in a wooded area.

Now, the teenager’s past brushes with the law have come to light, revealing that he was still on probation for possession of a ghost gun at the time of Wednesday’s shooting.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Denver student, 17, was arrested over ghost gun two years before high school shooting

Shooting comes just one month after student was fatally shot

Thursday 23 March 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp

The shooting marks just the latest gun violence to rock East Denver High school in the space of a month.

In February, 16-year-old student Luis Garcia was shot as he sat in a parked car close to the school grounds.

He died weeks later.

Following his death, a group of fellow students called on local officials to take action to make their schools safer.

Several attended a city council meeting and spoke on their fears over gun violence in schools while the Denver East High School chapter of Students Demand Action staged a walkout demanding better gun control.

FULL STORY: A Denver student on probation shot two people during a school security check. Who is suspect Austin Lyle?

Thursday 23 March 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp

America has endured yet another act of gun violence at one of its schools.

This time it took place at East High School in Denver, Colorado, where two faculty staff members were shot and a student suspect is now dead.

Austin Lyle, a 17-year-old student who had a prior arrest for possession of a ghost gun two years earlier, allegedly shot Eric Sinclair, dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice, in an office in the high school on Wednesday morning.

Lyle was undergoing a search for weapons by staff members at the time – a search the teen was required to undergo every day due to his past record.

Following the shooting, Lyle fled the scene before his body was discovered hours later in a wooded area.

Officials have not released his cause of death but he is believed to have died by suicide.

Here’s what we know so far about the shooting and the suspected gunman:

Who is Austin Lyle? Student accused of shooting two staff members at Denver school

At least 18 school shootings so far in 2023

Thursday 23 March 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp

The shooting on Wednesday marks only the latest in a long line of shootings to rock students and school staff across America.

So far in 2023, there has been at least 18 shootings resulting in at least one injury or death at elementary or secondary schools across America, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Gun violence and mass shootings in all settings have also soared.

One staff member remains in critical condition

Thursday 23 March 2023 14:15 , Rachel Sharp

One of the staff members shot in Wednesday’s incident remains in critical condition.

Suspected shooter Austin Lyle opened fire inside East Denver High School, striking Eric Sinclair, a dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice.

After opening fire, the suspect fled the scene.

The two faculty members were rushed to hospital where Mr Sinclair remains in critical condition.

Mr Mason was released from hospital later on Wednesday after treatment.

Parent considers taking daughter out of school for remainder of academic year

Thursday 23 March 2023 14:45 , Rachel Sharp

East High School, not far from downtown near a busy street that cuts through the city, was placed on lockdown as police investigated the shooting.

Hundreds of parents lined up along a road near the school, with the scene sealed off by police.

Some parents and students vented frustration over violence at the school as they surrounded the police chief. Others argued about the causes of the violence.

Police Chief Ron Thomas listened quietly, nodding and promising to engage with the school board.

At the edge of the crowd, a man said the city’s school board members should be recalled for getting rid of police in school, telling a police officer nearby “I just want you to be able to do your job.”

Another man shouted that it was a problem of “evil in the world” while a girl responded that the violence wouldn’t happen if guns weren’t so easily available.

Parent Jess Haase said her daughter, a senior, texted while hiding in a classroom with the lights off during the lockdown. Haase said lockdowns have happened too frequently at the school this year and she was frustrated. She planned to talk to her daughter about taking her out of school for the rest of the school year.

“I am sick of it,” she said.

Denver Public School confirmed the victims were administrators.

Wednesday was also the second anniversary of 10 people being shot and killed at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she wasn’t sure whether President Joe Biden had been briefed on the school shooting, but said, “Our hearts go out to the families of the two school administrators in Denver today, and to the entire school community.”

She repeated Biden’s call for stricter gun laws, including bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and for Congress to “do something” on gun control.

PICTURED: Suspect Austin Lyle

Thursday 23 March 2023 15:15 , Rachel Sharp

Austin Lyle’s body was found on Wednesday night (Denver Police)
Austin Lyle’s body was found on Wednesday night (Denver Police)

Why was Austin Lyle searched upon entering school campus?

Thursday 23 March 2023 15:45 , Megan Sheets

Austin Lyle, the suspected gunman in the East High School shooting, reportedly opened fire while being searched by two deans before the start of classes.

It has since been revealed that Lyle was subject to search at the beginning of each day under a school safety agreement.

Denver7 reported that daily searches are only put in place when a student has committed a serious act of violence.

While the specifics of what led to Lyle being subject to search are not confirmed, it is believed to be linked to his prior record.

Law enforcement sources told CBS Colorado that the 17-year-old had been arrested back in 2021 for possession of a ghost gun and a high capacity magazine.

His arrest came when he was a student at Overland High School and some fellow students reported photos on social media showing Lyle with a gun, the sources said.

A search of the teenager’s home then uncovered the ghost gun and magazine. He was later expelled from the school and began attending East High School.

How was Austin Lyle able to flee after shooting?

Thursday 23 March 2023 16:15 , Megan Sheets

Questions remain over how Austin Lyle was able to escape campus and go on the run after allegedly shooting two staff members at East High School.

The shooting unfolded just before 10am on Wednesday, plunging the school into lockdown. Shortly after, authorities confirmed that the suspect was still at large.

Hours later, police released a photo of Lyle identifying him as the suspected shooter.

Members of the public were warned that the student – who was wearing a hoodie with an astronaut on it and was believed to be in a 2005 red Volvo XC90 with a Colorado licence plate – should be considered “armed and dangerous”.

Not long later, the car was located – with Lyle’s body discovered nearby.

Authorities have not commented on why Lyle was not apprehended at the scene, or why it took so long to find him.

Gun violence in America, by the numbers

Thursday 23 March 2023 16:54 , Josh Marcus

The Denver shooting is the latest instance of gun violence across the US.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, 9,393 people have died in gun violence this year, including 5,412 by suicide.

Within that total, 328 teens have died from firearms.

What are ghost guns, the weapons alleged Denver gunman was arrested for

Thursday 23 March 2023 17:30 , Josh Marcus

Austin Lyle, the alleged student gunman in the Denver shooting, was reportedly previously arrested for posession of a ghost gun, a weapon, often hommade, that lacks a serial number, making it untraceable.

Denver student, 17, was arrested over ghost gun two years before high school shooting

As a result, the 17-year-old was required to be searched for weapons each day upon his arrival at East High. He allegedly shot two teachers during this search process on Wednesday.

Here’s some of our reporting on ghost guns over the years.

California adds laws targeting ghost guns, sales to minors

Students recount Denver school shooting that wounded 2 faculty members

Thursday 23 March 2023 18:00 , Josh Marcus

Students at Denver’s East High School say they were both shocked and “numb” to the news that their campus was the site of the latest school shooting in America.

The school, like many in the US, has experienced violence before.

“I started hearing sirens — fire truck sirens — in the area and started running toward the school,” junior Tyrone told Denver 7. “[But] I looked at the building and the students started running. I saw students in classrooms ducking their heads.”

“We’re just kind of numb to it at this point since this has happened so much,” another student, Aubriana Acuna, said. “Like second time this month. I think it’s insane. It’s really not fair at all.”

A 16-year-old named Luis Garcia was shot near the school in February.

“That really shook up the community,” a sophomore named Chase Chavez told the station. “So when I heard it, I got really scared because I’m like, you know, it could be a repeat of it.”

Denver shooting revives calls for armed officers in school

Thursday 23 March 2023 18:30 , Josh Marcus

Wednesday’s shooting at a Denver high school has prompted calls from local officials to bring armed police officers back on campus.

In 2020, the city school board voted unanimously to remove police from schools amid the racial justice protests that year following the murder of George Floyd, citing the disproportionate rates youth of colour are targeted by campus officers.

“What we saw in our streets was a reaction to what we will no longer tolerate,” said board member Tay Anderson said at the time. “This topic is not new or knee-jerk.”

In a letter to the board on Wednesday, superintendent Alex Marrero called for the officers to return to schools, including two being stationed at East High, the site of Wednesday’s shooting.

“I can no longer stand on the sidelines,” Mr Marrero wrote in the letter, Chalkbeat Colorado reports.

The school board said it’s supportive of the move.

What we know about the victims of the Denver shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 19:01 , Josh Marcus

Two people were wounded on Wednesday in a school shooting in Denver.

A Denver Public Schools spokesperson told CNN the injured individuals are Erin Sinclair and Jerald Mason, who are the dean of culture and restorative practice coordinators, respectively.

One staffer member is in critical condition, while another suffered serious injuries but is in stable condition, according to Denver police.

The faculty were shot while searching alleged gunman Austin Lyle for weapons, given the student’s previous arrest for gun posession.

ICYMI: Reporter interrupts broadcast to hug her son in midst of shooting at Denver school

Thursday 23 March 2023 19:30 , Josh Marcus

A Fox News reporter immediately hugged her son after being reunited with him during a live broadcast of a shooting at his school in Denver, Colorado.

Alicia Acuna, the mother of a teenager, shared a heart-warming moment with her son outside East High School in Denver on Wednesday, where a student shot two faculty members.

Acuna told her colleagues in the studio to excuse her as she suddenly saw her son walking towards her. “I am sorry, I have not seen my kid since this all went down,” she said.

The reporter appeared to get emotional soon after and said there was no way anyone would let their kid walk by in such a situation.

Shweta Sharma reports.

Reporter reunited with own son in midst of shooting at Denver school

Will more police in schools stop shootings?

Thursday 23 March 2023 20:15 , Josh Marcus

After the recent school shooting in Denver, there have been calls to put more police officers on campus.

Would that have made a difference? It’s complicated.

Last year, we reported on how there’s little evidence police stop school shootings, but plenty of research that suggests campus officers disproportionately target youth of colour for arrest and suspicion.

Read our full story for more info on this debate.

Police didn’t stop shootings in Parkland or Uvalde. Biden is giving them $300m anyway

Denver cancels classes for ‘mental health day'

Thursday 23 March 2023 21:00 , Josh Marcus

Denver Public Schools canceled classes and declared a “mental health” day on Friday, CBS News reports, following a shooting earlier this week that left two faculty members at an area high school seriously injured.

“As we learn more about the developments coming out of the shooting that took place at East High School yesterday, I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to the East High School community, and the larger DPS community,” DPS superintendent Dr Alex Marrero said in a letter to district leaders. “No student, employee, or community member should have to carry fear of potential violence when they walk into our buildings each day.”

Denver shooting suspect brought weapons to past school and was considered ‘threat to safety'

Thursday 23 March 2023 22:00 , Josh Marcus

Austin Lyle, the alleged gunman in Wednesday’s school shooting in Denver, reportedly had a history of bringing weapons on campus.

Sources familiar with the teen, who was found dead on Wednesday evening, told ABC News a previous school had deemed him “potentially violent” and a “threat to the safety of the school” after a series of incidents between 2021 and 2022, including bringing a weapon on school grounds at Overland High School.

In 2021, Lyle was charged with weapons posession.

Denver votes to put police back in schools after shooting

Thursday 23 March 2023 23:08 , Josh Marcus

Following a school board that wounded two people, the Denver Public School Board of Education voted unanimously on Thursday to put Denver police back into schools, just three years after officials removed officers from campus amid the 2020 racial justice protests.

The board asked superintendent Alex Marrero to fund at least two police officers and two mental health workers at all high schools for the remainder of the school year.

“We have not flip-flopped. What we are doing is including more community engagement because we did have a one-year-long process back in 2020 where we included community and we are including them once more so that we can hear from them again. So there’s no flip-flopping,” Board President Xóchtil Gaytán said during a news conference, The Colorado Sun reports.

Students rally at Colorado capitol after shooting

00:00 , Josh Marcus

A crowd of students rallied on Thursday at the Colorado state capitol, following a Wednesday shooting that left two faculty members seriously wounded.

“I decided because I want safety for every student who is in high school and who is going to attend high school because it’s hard. As someone with anxiety problems, it gets really scary when you are paranoid being at school sometimes,” one student told CBS News.

They carried signs with messages like “End Gun Brutality,” “School Should Be A Safe Space,” and “We Are Not Safe.”

Ten guns have been confiscated from students in Denver schools between the start of the school year and February, according to Denver Public Schools.

What we know about Denver shooting suspect Austin Lyle

01:21 , Josh Marcus

America has endured yet another act of gun violence at one of its schools.

This time it took place at East High School in Denver, Colorado, where two faculty staff members were shot and a student suspect is now dead.

Austin Lyle, a 17-year-old student who had a prior arrest for possession of a ghost gun two years earlier, allegedly shot Eric Sinclair, dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice, in an office in the high school on Wednesday morning.

Here’s what we know.

Who is Austin Lyle? Student accused of shooting two staff members at Denver school

Denver suspect had past arrest record for guns

03:20 , Josh Marcus

The student accused of shooting two staff members at a high school in Denver, Colorado, before allegedly killing himself had been arrested for possession of a ghost gun two years earlier.

Austin Lyle, 17, allegedly shot Eric Sinclair, dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice, at East High School in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday morning.

Denver Police said that the shooting unfolded just before 10am while Lyle was undergoing a daily weapons search at the school.

During the search, staff members located a handgun and Lyle allegedly opened fire, striking the two faculty members before fleeing the scene.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Denver student, 17, was arrested over ghost gun two years before high school shooting

What happened to the victims of the Denver shooting?

05:20 , Josh Marcus

Two faculty members at a Denver high school were injured on Wednesday while searching a student for weapons as a part of a security plan based on his previous run-ins with the law.

During Wednesday’s search, staff members located a handgun and student Austin Lyle allegedly opened fire, striking Eric Sinclair, a dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice.

“As part of a safety plan they were undergoing a search, as part of that search a weapon was retrieved, a handgun was retrieved, and several shots were fired, striking those two individuals,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said at a press conference on Wednesday.

The two faculty members were rushed to hospital where Mr Sinclair remains in critical condition.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Denver school shooting suspect Austin Lyle found dead after manhunt

Inside the manhunt that located the alleged Denver school gunman

07:20 , Josh Marcus

The student accused of shooting two staff members at a high school in Denver, Colorado – leaving one in critical condition – has now been found dead.

Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw said on Wednesday night that police had located a male body in some woods close to an abandoned red Volvo associated with 17-year-suspect Austin Lyle.

The sheriff said that the body had not yet been identified as belonging to the student but a shelter-in-place was lifted for residents in the Park County area.

On Thursday morning, the county’s coroner’s office confirmed that the body was that of Lyle.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Denver school shooting suspect Austin Lyle found dead after manhunt

Denver school shooting becomes personal for local reporting covering story on TV

09:20 , Josh Marcus

A Fox News reporter immediately hugged her son after being reunited with him during a live broadcast of a shooting at his school in Denver, Colorado.

Alicia Acuna, the mother of a teenager, shared a heart-warming moment with her son outside East High School in Denver on Wednesday, where a student shot two faculty members.

Acuna told her colleagues in the studio to excuse her as she suddenly saw her son walking towards her. “I am sorry, I have not seen my kid since this all went down,” she said.

The reporter appeared to get emotional soon after and said there was no way anyone would let their kid walk by in such a situation.

She was asked by her colleague to step aside if she wanted to meet her son but she continued with her coverage, saying: “He’s ok. He’s good.”

Shweta Sharma has more.

Fox reporter reunited with son on air after Denver school shooting

Austin Lyle brought a weapon into his previous school, says report

11:01 , Rachel Sharp

Denver school shooting suspect Austin Lyle once brought a weapon into his previous school before he was expelled and began attending East High School, according to a report.

Sources told ABC News that officials at Overland High School had told law enforcement that the 17-year-old was “potentially violent” and a “threat to the safety of the school”.

During the 2021 to 2022 school year, there was several incidents involving the teenager including at least one instance where he brought a weapon to the school, the sources said.

Gun violence in Colorado, by the numbers

11:30 , Josh Marcus

The Wednesday shooting in Denver is the latest in a record season of violence for Colorado.

According to data from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, 2022 was a record year for school shootings in Colorado, with 303 incidents. That’s 10 times the level of gun incidents in schools that occured in 2013.

What are ghost guns?

12:00 , Josh Marcus

Austin Lyle, the alleged student gunman who wounded two Denver school faculty in a shooting on Wednesday, reportedly had a previous arrest for posession of an untraceable “ghost gun.”

Here’s more information on this new and shocking type of weapon.

What are ghost guns? Biden to unveil new rules on untraceable homemade firearms

Students hold rally at state Capitol

12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Denver students held a rally at the Colorado state Capitol on Thursday over the school shooting that left two staff members wounded and a teenage suspect dead one day earlier.

A crowd of students and parents gathered for the protest calling on lawmakers to take greater action on gun control and school safety.

One student told CBS Colorado that it is “scary” to attend school.

“I decided because I want safety for every student who is in high school and who is going to attend high school because it’s hard,” they said.

“As someone with anxiety problems, it gets really scary when you are paranoid being at school sometimes.”

Denver student, 17, was arrested over ghost gun two years before shooting

13:02 , Rachel Sharp

The student accused of shooting two staff members at a high school in Denver, Colorado, before allegedly killing himself had been arrested for possession of a ghost gun two years earlier.

Austin Lyle, 17, allegedly shot Eric Sinclair, dean of culture, and Jerald Mason, coordinator in restorative practice, at East High School in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday morning.

Following an hours-long manhunt to track down the student, Lyle’s body was discovered in a wooded area.

Now, the teenager’s past brushes with the law have come to light, revealing that he was still on probation for possession of a ghost gun at the time of Wednesday’s shooting.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Denver student, 17, was arrested over ghost gun two years before high school shooting

School board lifts ban on armed guards

13:46 , Rachel Sharp

The school board has lifted its ban on armed guards and police officers in its schools in the wake of this week’s shooting.

Armed guards have been banned from local schools for almost two years as part of the racial reckoning after George Floyd’s 2020 murder.

His killing prompted calls for an end to systemic racism and, as part of this, critics argued officers in schools were disproportionately criminalising students of colour.

On Thursday, the board voted unanimously in favour of temporarily suspending the ban.

“Based on the emergency situation presented by the events of March 22, 2023, the Board of Education will hereby suspend (the ban on armed officers) through June 30, 2023,” the motion stated.

Shooting comes just one month after student was fatally shot

14:44 , Rachel Sharp

The shooting marks just the latest gun violence to rock East Denver High school in the space of a month.

In February, 16-year-old student Luis Garcia was shot as he sat in a parked car close to the school grounds.

He died weeks later.

Following his death, a group of fellow students called on local officials to take action to make their schools safer.

Several attended a city council meeting and spoke on their fears over gun violence in schools while the Denver East High School chapter of Students Demand Action staged a walkout demanding better gun control.

Juvenile tries to shoot police officer one day after school shooting

15:15 , Rachel Sharp

One day after the shooting at East High, Denver Police said they had arrested another juvenile who tried to shoot an officer.

10 guns seized from Denver schools so far in school year

15:45 , Rachel Sharp

In total, 10 guns were found on Denver school students and seized between the start of the school year and February, according to Denver Public Schools.

It has emerged that Austin Lyle was under a school safety plan where he had to be patted down for weapons every day on arrival at East High.

Report: Austin Lyle shot himself with ghost gun

16:22 , Rachel Sharp

Austin Lyle shot himself with a ghost gun, according to a report.

Lyle, 17, was found dead in a wooded area on Wednesday night, hours after he allegedly shot two staff members at East High.

His official cause of death has not been released.

However, sources told Fox News that the teenager fatally shot himself with a ghost gun with no serial numbers, with the gun found close to his body.

Superintendent was ‘committed’ to armed police at school regardless of policy

16:45 , Graeme Massie

School district Superintendent Alex Marrero said that he was “committed” to placing two armed police officers at East High School until the end of the academic year regardless of policy.

“I am willing to accept the consequences of my actions,” Mr Marrero said in a letter to the Board of Education before they voted on Thursday to change the policy to allow armed officers on campus.

“Today was my fourth visit to Denver Health’s Intensive Care Unit due to victims of gun violence. These events should not have happened on my watch or this Board’s Watch.”

Denver public schools closed for ‘mental health day'

17:06 , Graeme Massie

All schools in the Denver Public Schools district will be closed on Friday for a “mental health day.”

“I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to the East High School community and the larger DPS community,” said Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero in a letter.

“No student or employee should have to carry the fear of potential violence when they walk into our buildings each day.”

 (AP)
(AP)

Shooting victim remains in serious condition

17:44 , Graeme Massie

Eric Sinclair was a 1998 graduate of Cedar Falls High School and was also the 1997 Iowa state wrestling champion, KWWL reports.

“When you meet him, you’re going to come away feeling like you had a great interaction with someone that truly cares,” said his friend Kyle Klingman.

“In high school, I guess I wouldn’t have seen him as a teacher, but now that he’s in it and you just see the great skillset that he has, you can see why he would be an effective teacher.”

 (KCCI)
(KCCI)

Students and teachers protest at Colorado state capitol

18:42 , Graeme Massie

Hundreds of students and teachers rallied at the state capitol on Friday to urge lawmakers to take action on gun violence once again.

The protest took place just days after two school administrators were shot at East High School by a student on Wednesday.

“Just unbelievable the amount of trauma these students go through. Almost all of my students were in tears,” said Kjersten Ostrom Condojni, who teaches prevention education for substance abuse and mental health across DPS high schools.

“To have these tragedies happen day in and day out is horrible. Their mental health continues to decline; their anxiety skyrockets. It’s hard to have a kid focus on their education when they can’t even rely on the fact that they can be safe in a classroom.”

 (ABC Denver)
(ABC Denver)