Authorities discovered a male body near a vehicle connected to the suspect after two faculty members were shot at East High School in Denver on Wednesday. Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw stated that the body has yet to be identified.
The shelter-in-place alert for Park County residents, located approximately 50 miles southwest of Denver, has been lifted. Denver Police Department has identified the suspect as 17-year-old Austin Lyle, a student at the high school. Lyle, wanted for attempted homicide, is believed to be connected to a red 2005 Volvo XC90 with a Colorado license plate.
The shooting at East High School occurred around 9:50 a.m., with police and medical responders quickly arriving at the scene. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas reported that two adult men suffered gunshot wounds. One of the victims of the shooting is in stable condition, and the other victim is currently in critical condition.
The student suspect was under a school safety plan requiring daily pat-downs. On Wednesday, a handgun was discovered during the search, and several shots were fired in an office area away from students and staff.
The student fled the school, and the weapon has not been recovered.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock vowed to locate the suspect and bring him to justice. He urged residents to be vigilant, as the student is considered armed and dangerous. The suspect was last seen wearing a hoodie featuring an astronaut.
Another student was taken to the hospital due to an allergic reaction, unrelated to the shooting. Paramedics already present in the building for that incident were able to immediately tend to the shooting victims.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, this incident marks the 18th shooting this year at a US school that resulted in injury or death.
In light of the shooting, East High School will be closed for the rest of the week. Superintendent Alex Marrero announced that when students return, two armed officers will be stationed on campus for the rest of the school year.