Additional information about the severity of the victims’ injuries has not yet been released
At least seven people have been injured in a K – 12 school shooting south of Denver, local police say.
Two juvenile suspects are currently in custody, according to multiple news outlets including ABC News, CNN, and NBC News.
According to a tweet from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received reports that shots were fired at the STEM School in Highlands Ranch right before 2 pm.
At a press conference, Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson Kluth confirmed that at least seven people — believed to all be students — are injured at this time. Kluth also said the suspects are believed to be juveniles, but it remains unclear whether they attend the school themselves.
A tweet from the Sheriff’s Office stated that the number of victims may be eight instead of seven.
“7 possibly 8 students have been injured. Two shooters in custody. SWAT still clearing school. Students being bused to Northridge Rec Center. Parents please have patience with reunification process,” The most recent tweet from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office read.
“We are likely to have a criminal prosecution in this case,” Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock stated in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “We are working closely with the district attorney,” he said, noting that he was not able to release much additional information at this time.
However, he did provide an update on the condition of the victims, stating that some of them are in critical condition, some are in surgery, and some are in stable condition.
He stated that one of the suspects was carrying a handgun.
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A mother named Kelley Paulson told KMGH that her sixth-grade son, Christian, reported seeing a “bunch of kids running out and saying ‘school shooter, school shooter.”
“I tried to run with my life but I’m out of breath,” Christian said, according to KMGH.
Additional information about the severity of the victims’ injuries has not yet been released, but at least four people have reportedly been taken to a local hospital in serious condition.
Reports indicate that the school did not have a resource officer assigned to it.
According to its website, the STEM School is a free public charter school that teaches kindergarten through 12th grade. It has more than 1,800 students, with more than 500 of its students of elementary age, KMGH reported.
Calls to a spokesperson at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were not immediately returned.
In a statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said, “The heart of all Colorado is with the victims and their families.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.