Posted 4:50 p.m. 08.298.2018 | Updated 7:38 a.m. 08.29.2018
Denver police announced early Wednesday morning that they have arrested a juvenile male for the shooting, which occurred just before 2 p.m. near DSST: Cole Middle School, northeast of downtown Denver. So far they have released few details.
The suspect is held for investigation of aggravated assault. The one young male victim hospitalized with a gunshot wound remains in critical condition.
Police could not confirm if the victim or the suspect attended Cole Middle School. At one point on Tuesday evening, Denver Public Schools erroneously reported on its Facebook page that a suspect was in custody, but the district later corrected that statement.
A crisis team was on site at the school shortly after the shooting, according to DPS Chief of Safety Mike Eaton. Crisis counselors will also be at Cole Middle School on Wednesday, and enhanced security will also be present through the remainder of the week as a precaution.
Eaton responded to concerns that the district was not communicating with parents early enough, saying the first priority was ensuring students and teachers are safe.
“We apologize if it does take a little bit longer to get (information) out,” he said.
Denver Public Schools expanded on this feedback in their statement.
We are committed to letting you know about incidents that affect our schools and the community. When there is an incident near or at our schools, we notify families as soon as possible. Today, the police were working to find a suspect and we were not able to communicate as quickly as we would have hoped. We understand the frustration and concern this may cause for our families.
City Councilman Albus Brooks, whose district includes Cole Middle School, said in a Facebook post that he had talked to Denver Police and that the shooting involved two 13-year-olds.
The charter middle school serves grades six through eight and is part of Denver Public Schools' STEM program.
