The second suspect in yesterday’s shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch has been identified as a “juvenile female,” although the person is reportedly transgender.
Authorities say the shooting, which left one student dead and eight others wounded, was perpetrated by 18-year-old Devon Erickson and an unnamed minor. The ABC local affiliate has reported the minor is transgender and is transitioning from woman to man.
Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock at a Wednesday morning press conference did not directly respond to reports about the minor’s gender.
“Right now, we are identifying the individual as a female, because that’s where we’re at,” he said. “We originally thought the juvenile was a male by appearance.”
Details are beginning to emerge into who the adult male shooter is as well. Tuesday night, a car was towed from Erickson’s home that had “F— SOCIETY” spray-painted on the vehicle along with “666” and an apparent pentagram painted on the hood.
Car towed from #stemshooting suspect’s home apparently has “F*** SOCIETY” spray painted on the side. Also “666” and a what looks like a pentagram sprayed on the hood. pic.twitter.com/e6QX3lq4v3
— John Fenton (@higuysimjohn) May 8, 2019
Although a motive has not been released, the two shooters reportedly harbored rage and anger toward their fellow classmates. At least one of the suspects also used legal and illegal drugs and had been in therapy.
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Spurlock said Wednesday that deputies from a nearby substation responded to the shooting within two minutes. Three handguns and a rifle were recovered, although it appears as though only two handguns were used.
“They immediately engaged the suspects and started rescuing the children who were injured,” Spurlock said.
“This is a terrible event,” he said. “This is something that nobody wants to happen in their community.”
Erickson is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
The shooting took place at a K-12 school located in Highlands Ranch, Colo., that focused on teaching students science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The superintendent announced that the school would be shutdown at least through the week.
The shooting occurred less than a month following the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting. The school is about 5 miles from Columbine.
