UPDATES: DPS board votes unanimously to suspend ban on SROs
Live updates from the East High School shooting
Hundreds of students from Denver East High School protested at the Colorado State Capitol in the wake of a second deadly student-involved shooting in as many months on March 23, 2023. The day prior, a student shot two adult faculty members before escaping. Police eventually found the student deceased. Students went to ask Colorado’s legislators to pass stricter gun control laws including waiting periods, raising the firearms purchasing age to 21 from 18, an assault weapons ban and tougher enforcement of red flag laws.
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com
Denver Public Schools board vote to reinstate SROs
The Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to suspend its ban on armed school resource officers on school grounds. The board also directed the superintendent to devise a long-term safety plan before the end of June.
Denver public safety office postpones “Safe City Youth Summit” scheduled for Friday
“The decision to postpone was made after Denver Public Schools announced that classes would be canceled for a mental health day [Friday],” Kelly Jacobs, communications director for the Denver Department of Public Safety wrote in an email to the Gazette.
The summit, in its 27th year, connects Denver officials and teenagers through round table talks and workshops to “allow city leaders to take feedback directly from youth to inform policies, decisions, and strategies for the safety and support of Denver’s youth,” according to a news release from the department’s Youth Leadership Team, which organizes the event.
The department said a new date and location will be set in a few weeks.
9News reports Austin Lyle passed through Bailey, Colo., shortly after East High shooting
Video footage from a surveillance camera shows a red Volvo SUV as it drove through Bailey at about 10:58 a.m. according to the camera’s timestamp, as reported by Cole Sullivan via his Twitter account.
Denver Police said Lyle, an East High school student wanted in the shooting of two staffers at the school, was associated with the vehicle.
The Park County sheriff said the car was found abandoned outside of town a few hours before the 17-year-old’s body was discovered.
Denver Public Schools to shut down Friday
Superintendent Alex Marrero informed all Denver Public School students and employees all classed would be cancelled Friday and all schools closed for a “mental health day.”
“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,” Moreno wrote in an email. “No student or employee should have to carry the fear of potential violence when they walk into our buildings each day.”
Friday off school will “allow us all to take a moment to pause and process the challenging events this year, including the data breach,” he wrote.
District officials will be providing food pick up locations.
“To assist in our collective healing, I want to reiterate the importance of connecting with our mental health, emotional wellness, and workforce/community supports,” Moreno said in the email.
Hundreds from East High descend on state capitol
Hundreds of students, staff members and parents from East High School, as well as other schools around the metro Denver area, gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol Thursday morning demanding action against gun violence in schools.
Ella Bygrave, a junior at East High School, has an extended spring break due to Wednesday’s shooting that injured two deans. After the shooting of student Luis Garcia, 16, near the school in February — he died March 1 — Bygrave said she was scared it was getting too close to being inside her school.
On Wednesday, it happened inside her school.
“We’ve had four incidents this year, with a false report of a shooter, then a shooting outside the school, then a shooting inside the school,” Bygraves said. “It just feels like it’s getting progressively more dangerous despite our protests.”
The students also spoke at a Denver City Council meeting last month, urging the return of school resource officers to Denver Public Schools.
East High School students plan rally at Colorado state Capitol
Some 200 young people, most from East High, are at the Capitol Building to demand the Colorado state legislature act on gun violence, especially strengthening red flag laws, which they say could have stopped Wednesday’s shooting, the Gazette’s chief legislative correspondent Marianne Goodland reports.
Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, earlier urged her colleagues to “receive people” and to “to allow people to emote.”
“Today we will have likely students, parents and community members on our steps to address what happened yesterday. The personal privilege that I’d like to ask for is that we all acknowledge that communities have to face things together that are very painful and very tough,” she said. “Even though we may have political conversations for decades, today is the day to receive people. To allow people to emote. To allow people to grieve, as the lives of two very special educators were put in jeopardy yesterday and a child did lose his life.”
The state Capitol, she said, could offer the “space for the processing, the receiving, the emoting.”
“As the Denver community comes to you not only today and tomorrow, let’s be sure also that we not only hug our loved ones, but that we talk to each other as well,” she said.
Colorado legislators start day with moment of silence
Colorado legislators began their day with a moment of silence, acknowledging the violence that ripped through a high school in Denver on Wednesday.
“Please keep the Denver East community in your hearts and your spirits,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, “and let’s figure out what we can do as a matter of resources in the immediate to deal with the pain and provide ourselves spaces at another time to talk about next steps.”
East High School shooting suspect found dead in Park County, sheriff’s office confirms
The East High School shooting suspect was found dead in Park County, Wednesday night, Park County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Emmy Glancy West confirmed to The Denver Gazette.
The Jefferson County SWAT team approached the 2005 red Volvo XC90 “associated” with alleged gunman 17-year-old Austin Lyle. The vehicle was off County Road 68 near Wellington Lake, according to Glancy West.
It was abandoned, but a body was found nearby matching Lyle’s description in a “secluded area.”
The Park County Coroner will perform an autopsy and confirm identification, she said.
Agencies involved in the manhunt included the FBI and ATF. The shelter-in-place order was lifted for Bailey residents.
Report: East High faculty stable, the other discharged from hospital
One of the two faculty members shot at East High School is in stable condition, according to Allison Sherry, a reporter for Colorado Public Radio.
“Jerald Mason was discharged from Denver Health and Eric Sinclair is in stable condition but still hospitalized,” Sherry reported.
SUV connected to East High shooting suspect found in Park County, according to sheriff
A shelter-in-place order was issued after the Park County sheriff’s deputies found a red Volvo SUV near Bailey, Colo., that Denver police said was “associated” with Austin Lyle, 17, as reported by Cole Sullivan of 9News.
Denver police confirmed on Twitter just before 6 p.m., the suspect’s vehicle was located in Park County. Police said efforts to locate the suspect are ongoing.
Lyle is wanted for attempted homicide for the shooting of two staffers at East High School in Denver on Wednesday.
Conifer schools were put on “secure access” earlier Wednesday after they were alerted that Lyle could be in the area based on cell phone data, according to a school official. Read more on the East High School shooting on 9News.com
Wounded East High staffer released from hospital; second in serious condition after surgery
Jerald Mason, a dean at the central Denver public school, was discharged at about 5:00 p.m. from the hospital, according to Heather Burke, a Denver Health public information officer.
Eric Sinclair, a second wounded staffer, was listed in serious condition following surgery. The pair were shot Wednesday in Denver while searching Austin Lyle, 17, for weapons at the school. Denver Police are searching for Lyle.
East High shooting suspect was removed from Overland High School, reports 9News
Late Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Cherry Creek School District confirmed that Austin Lyle, 17, had been “removed” from Overland High School in Aurora last year for “violations” of board policy, Janet Oravetz of 9News posted.
Armed officers to return to Denver comprehensive high schools
Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero said he will have an armed officer at each of the district’s comprehensive high schools — a step that he acknowledges likely violates school board policy, Chalkbeat Colorado reports. Marrero sent a letter to board members hours after two Denver East High School staffers were shot and wounded by a student on Wednesday. “I can no longer stand on the sidelines,” Marrero wrote. Read more about Marrero’s policy change at Chalkbeat.
Denver police identify suspect in Denver East High School shooting
Denver police identified 17-year-old Austin Lyle as the suspect in the shooting Wednesday at Denver’s East High School that injured two school administrators.
Lyle was described as 5-foot, 5-inches tall, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a green hoodie.
Austin Lyle, suspect in Denver East High School shooting of two staffers, is being sought by Denver police after the Wednesday, March 21, 2023 wounding of two school administrators who were searching Lyle as he entered the school. (Photo via Denver Police Department)
Police believe Lyle could be connected to a 2005 red Volvo XC90 with Colorado license plate No. BSCW10.
Lyle is wanted for attempted homicide.
Mayor Hancock: Bring back SROs to Denver Public Schools
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said it’s time to return police officers to Denver Public Schools.
The mayor made the call shortly after two adults were shot at East High School on Wednesday morning. A hunt for the alleged shooter is underway.
“Another act of senseless gun violence rocked the East High School community this morning and my heart is with each and every student, staff member and parent. Our schools should be free from violence. Period. Parents are angry and frustrated, and they have a right to be. Easy access to guns must be addressed in our country – Denver cannot do this alone,” Hancock said in a statement. “There are common sense proposals at the Legislature and in Congress right now – they must be passed.”
He added: “It’s also time to return School Resource Officers in our schools. Removing them was a mistake and we must move swiftly to correct it. We’re ready to work with DPS, and we all have to step up as a community and be part of the solution.”
In June 2020, the Denver School Board unanimously voted to cut ties with Denver Police, following the death of George Floyd in the hands of a Minnesota police officer.
Polis: parents, teachers deserve safety
Gov. Jared Polis joined others in condemning the violence at East High, saying teachers, students and parents deserve a safe environment.
“We are closely monitoring this tragic situation. We know that the two victims have been hospitalized and we pray for their health and swift recovery. Our students should and must be able to attend school without fear for their safety, their parents deserve the peace of mind that their children are safe in classrooms, and teachers should be able to work safely and without harm,” the governor said. “We also reflect that today is the anniversary of the Boulder King Soopers shooting. We appreciate the quick action taken by East High school faculty and staff to secure the school and make sure students were safe and this is an ongoing situation, and State Troopers and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations are supporting local law enforcement in responding to this tragedy.”
Here’s what we know about the Denver East High School shooting
Where did the shooting occur?
Police said the shooting occurred inside the office area at Denver’s East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade Blvd. around 10 a.m.
Who are the victims?
Police said the victims were two adults and they were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Both were administrative staff members in the East High School dean’s office. Their names were not immediately released.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said one of the victims was rushed into surgery and was listed in critical condition. The second victim was in “serious but stable” condition and was able to answer questions for investigators.
Who is the suspect?
Police said the suspect is 17-year-old Austin Lyle.
Lyle is described at 5-foot, 5-inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a green hoodie. Police believe he’s associated with a red 2005 Volvo XC90 with Colorado license plate No. BSCW10.
Police said there was a “safe plan” in place for Lyle to check him every day for weapons before allowing him into the school. He was checked this morning, police said, but today he got a gun into the school and began firing.
Are the students safe?
Students were in their third period classes when the shooting happened. The school was placed under lockdown following the shooting. Students were then dismissed to their parents in an “organized release.”
Mayor Michael Hancock said one student was transported to a hospital for an unrelated allergic reaction.
An officer points a student in the direction of waiting parents and buses after a shooting at Denver East High School on March 22.
Police tape closes off the East 16th Avenue after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Students are released from the front entrance of the school after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Parents wait for students to be released at the intersection of East 17th Avenue and City Park Esplanade after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Police cruisers line East 16th Avenue after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Freshman Lucias Niedzwiecki hugs his mother Jaylene Keeler after being reunited following a shooting that wounded two school staffers at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Freshman Treble Brooks hugs his mother Bobbie Brooks after being reunited following a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Students are released from the front entrance after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Local civil rights activist and basketball coach Alvertis Simmons talks with Denver Police chief Ron Thomas after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
A man talks on the phone while waiting with other parents for students to be released at the intersection of East 17th Avenue and City Park Esplanade after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Denver Police named Austin Lyle, 17, as the suspect in the shooting and wounding of two East High School staffers on Wednesday morning, March 22, 2023 in the school’s office. Police are searching for Lyle who ran from the school after the shooting. (Photo via Denver Police Department.)
Students are directed to the intersection of East 17th Avenue and City Park Esplanade where parents are waiting to be reunited after a shooting at Denver East High School on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Hundreds of students, staff members and parents from East High School, and other schools around the metro Denver area, gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol Thursday morning demanding action against gun violence in schools.
Hundreds of students, staff members and parents from East High School, and other schools around the metro Denver area, gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol Thursday morning demanding action against gun violence in schools.
Students and parents talk with Rep. Eliza Hamrick in the halls outside the House of Representatives during a student protest in response to yesterday’s shooting at Denver East High School, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Students, parents, lawmakers and media line the second and third floors between the Senate and the House of Representatives during a student protest in response to yesterday’s shooting at Denver East High School, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
Students talks with Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez outside of the House of Representatives during a student protest in response to yesterday’s shooting at Denver East High School, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
A person wearing a Denver East High School sweater looks through a breezeway from the first floor into the basement where students gather during a student protest in response to yesterday’s shooting at Denver East High School, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
State Senator and mayoral candidate, Chris Hansen, speaks to students from Denver East High School about gun policy, while they protested the second student-involved shooting in as many months on March 23, 2023. Hundred of Denver East High students, students from neighboring schools, parents and teachers gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol before going in to address lawmakers.
Students were not allowed to bring their signs into the Colorado State Capitol while protesting gun violence on March 23, 2023. Hundred of Denver East High students, students from neighboring schools, parents and teachers gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol before going in to address lawmakers in the wake of a second student-involved shooting in as many months.
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