The plan for the May 7, 2019, shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch was for one of the shooters to be killed in the end and the other to be “a hero.” That’s according to Alec McKinney, who pleaded guilty last year to dozens of charges, including first-degree murder, for his role in the attack. […]
Elliott Wenzler
Elliott Wenzler is a reporter for the Colorado Sun, covering local politics, the state legislature and other topics. She also assists with The Unaffiliated newsletter. Previously, she was a community reporter in Douglas County for Colorado Community Media. She has won awards for her reporting and photography. Elliott graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in editorial journalism and minors in both business and Spanish. She is also an avid rock climber, snowboarder and hiker. Twitter: @ElliottWenzler
Posted inCrime and Courts, Education, News
Teen victim pleaded with STEM School Highlands Ranch shooter to stop his attack, testimony reveals
Lucas Albertoni was crawling through classroom 107 in STEM School Highlands Ranch when he was confronted by Alec McKinney’s gun. Albertoni looked up as he was attempting to flee and saw the barrel of the firearm, only an arm’s length away, pointed straight at him. He locked eyes with the student holding it. “I pleaded […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Education, News
Jury hears from survivors of STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting
Mitchell Kraus didn’t know he’d been shot until he’d already run a couple of blocks from STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019. When the student realized something was wrong, he took stock of his body, moving his hand to his back. It came back red with blood. The next thing he remembers wanting […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News
As STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting trial opens, two views of what happened in Room 107
The trial of one of two former STEM School Highlands Ranch students accused of attacking the school in 2019, killing one classmate and injuring six others, opened Thursday with the sound of a teacher’s frantic breathing. “There’s a shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch!” the teacher, Erin Christian, cried in a call to 911 on […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Education, News
Trial begins for older STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting suspect
The trial is underway for the older of the two students charged with carrying out the deadly STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting two years ago. Devon Erickson, now 20, is accused of helping Alec McKinney, now 18, carry out the attack that left Kendrick Castillo dead and eight others injured. McKinney pleaded guilty and was […]