Denver Metro Schools Closed Wednesday Due to Ongoing Threat

Denver Metro Schools Closed Wednesday Due to Ongoing Threat

Schools across the Denver area are closed today as a “massive manhunt” continues for a woman “infatuated with Columbine” who is said to be armed and “extremely dangerous,” according to police

  • By Jessica Davis
  • April 17, 2019

[UPDATED: April 17, 2019, at 11:27 a.m.]

CBS Denver has confirmed that the woman wanted in connection to threats that led to the closure of Denver-area schools Wednesday has been captured. The 18-year-old female suspect was captured Wednesday morning in Clear Creek County.

The extensive search operation was centered at the base of Mount Evans and included a SWAT team and a Clear Creek County snowcat.

Police told CBS Denver that the suspect has been taken into custody.

The woman was considered to be armed and dangerous. She was “infatuated with the perpetrators of Columbine,” authorities said. They did not elaborate on the comments made by the suspect, only that she wasn’t threatening any specific school in her comments.

School was canceled for more than half a million students on Colorado’s Front Range on Wednesday as a result of the manhunt for the suspect, who authorities said posed a “credible threat.”

Original story continues below.

Districts across the Denver metropolitan area ordered their schools closed Wednesday as the FBI and local police continue their “massive manhunt” for an 18-year-old Florida woman officials said is “infatuated with Columbine”. The woman purchased a shotgun shortly after arriving in Colorado this week, officials said.

Most major school districts in the Denver area, as well as others, have canceled classes. Columbine High School’s home district, Jeffco Public Schools, was previously on lockout Tuesday along with more than 20 other Jeffco schools due to “credible threats.”

Police and federal authorities continue to search for the woman, who traveled to Colorado from Miami on Monday night. Authorities confirmed it was her presence that triggered the lockouts at schools Tuesday.

“This has become a massive manhunt,” said Dean Phillips, special agent in charge of the Denver FBI office, during a Tuesday night news conference.

Denver Police are conduction sweeps of campuses looking for the woman.

“As a precaution Denver police officers have been directed to remain attentive around schools,” said Marika Putnam, spokeswoman for the Denver Police Department on Wednesday morning.

The FBI and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office asks residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious people.

The threats from this woman came days before Saturday, the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre, in which two students shot and killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers