Affidavit: STEM School Security Officer Fired at Lieutenant, Struck Student

The affidavit also provided details of the shooting, stating one of the alleged shooters targeted classmates who made fun of his gender identity.

Affidavit: STEM School Security Officer Fired at Lieutenant, Struck Student

A newly released affidavit shows a private security officer hired by STEM School Highlands Ranch struck a female student after firing at a responding deputy during last month’s shooting.

According to the affidavit, several officers who responded to the May 7 shooting reported that the security officer fired twice at a Douglas County Sheriff’s lieutenant. The officer said he saw “a muzzle” come around a corner and fired his weapon. One of the bullets struck a female inside a nearby classroom.

El Paso County District Attorney Dan May is leading the investigation into the actions of the private security officer, who worked for Boss High Level Protection, reports AP News.

The 29-year-old security officer, whose name has not been revealed, is a former sheriff’s deputy and Marine.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 2008 to June 2012 and was deployed twice to Afghanistan, according to 9 News.

He enrolled in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department’s academy in July 2013, graduated that December, and worked in the jail before leaving the department in August 2017.

Affidavit Details Alleged Shooters’ Attack

The seven-page court document also outlined the actions of the alleged shooters, portraying their attack as being carried out haphazardly and with little planning.

According to the affidavit, the younger suspect was “super suicidal” and had planned the shooting for weeks with the intent of targeting classmates who made fun of his gender identity. His attorneys have said he identifies as male and does not use the name listed in court records.

The older suspect allegedly tried to talk him out of it and repeatedly told investigators that he wanted to stop the shooting “but couldn’t articulate how or why he never told an adult.”

On the morning of May 7, the pair allegedly went to the older suspect’s home, used cocaine and broke into a locked gun safe with an ax and a pry bar. Using a guitar case and backpack, they smuggled three handguns, a rifle and ammunition through a middle school entrance because “they would not be checked and could get anything past those doors.”

The students then allegedly targeted a class near the entrance because “all of the kids they hated” would be in the classroom. They entered the room, yelled, “Nobody move,” and began shooting.

One suspect was tackled by student Kendrick Castillo, who succumbed to his injuries. The other suspect was confronted by the private security officer. The security officer fired his weapon as other first responders made entry toward the classroom.

Each of the suspects has been charged with 46 separate counts, including two counts of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 31 counts of attempted first-degree murder. Other charges including arson, burglary, theft, weapons possession, criminal mischief, interference with a school and reckless endangerment.

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About the Author

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Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.

Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.

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