Police: Denver High-School Student Shoots 2 Faculty Members

  • By Matt Jones
  • March 23, 2023

National news reports that on Wednesday, March 22, during a routine pat-down at a Denver high school, a male student shot two faculty members, according to school officials and local law enforcement. The suspected shooter, 17-year-old Austin Lyle, produced a handgun during the search, discharged the weapon, and fled the building, said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas during a news conference. Lyle remained at large during the day until his body was found in the woods about 50 miles southwest of Denver on Wednesday night, according to AP News.

The Associated Press reports that the pat-down was part of a “safety plan” for that particular student because of previous behavioral issues. No previous searches had resulted in any issues. Paramedics were already on-scene responding to a student having an unrelated allergic reaction, said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The two wounded faculty members and the student were transported to a nearby hospital.

The Denver Public Schools Board of Education has since come under fire for removing school resource officers from the district in June 2020, according to Fox News. Armed officers will be placed at the school for the remainder of the school year.

“It’s also time to return school resource officers in our schools,” said Hancock on Wednesday. “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.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

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