Security Guard Who Shot an Uninvolved Student During a Mass Shooting Was Not Supposed to be Armed

A private security guard accidentally shot a student while trying to stop a mass shooting in May at a Colorado STEM school. The school requested that the guard be unarmed, however, he may have concealed his weapon which would violate district policy.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • August 30, 2019

A private security guard, who was hired by STEM School Highlands Ranch, accidentally shot a female student during a deadly shooting at the Colorado school in May.

The shooting left one dead and eight others wounded.

With all of the chaos during the attack, the guard told investigators he fired two rounds at a responding Douglas County sheriff’s deputy. The guard also stated that he fired because he saw a muzzle come around the corner of the hallway. The shots did not strike the officer, but one of the rounds did wound the female student.

Through an open records request, The Colorado Sun was able to find out that the security guard, who was hired by the school through a private security company, was not supposed to be armed per the school’s agreement.

In a written statement, the school said, “STEM administration and leadership were not aware that the guard was armed.”

If the administration was not aware, it appears that the guard, who was hired through BOSS High Level Protection, must have concealed his weapon, which is against the school district’s policy.

“STEM’s security needs and challenges are different than other schools in that our student population includes kindergarten through 12th grade all at the same campus,” STEM School Highlands Ranch said in a written statement Monday. “While it is more common to have armed security personnel at high schools, it is uncommon at elementary schools. Given the diverse population at our school, we made the decision to request an unarmed guard in an effort to balance these different interests.”

Due to the ongoing investigation of the shooting, STEM could not continue its contract with the private security guard company.

This school year, they will have a full-time school resource officer as well as private security, that could include off-duty police officers.


About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars