BRIGHTON, Colo. (KDVR) — Two juveniles were taken into custody at Prairie View High School on Wednesday after one person was shot in Brighton, and police were investigating whether more young people were involved, police said.
The Brighton Police Department said in a release that two juvenile suspects were taken into custody after a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description entered the Prairie View High School parking lot.
“As leads developed, additional juveniles believed to be involved were contacted and detained,” according to the release.
Jason Freng lives in a house near the police investigation scene. A teacher, he was home for lunch at the time.
“I heard a loud bang, when I was just eating lunch, and it did not really register until I started getting phone calls and emails from the school,” Freng told FOX31’s Greg Nieto.
“I had heard some sort of disagreement, kids hanging out in the area, probably high school age,” Freng said.
Police respond to shooting near school
Police responded near South 9th Avenue and Bush Street after receiving reports of shots fired around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
In a news conference, Brighton Police Chief Matt Domenico said student resource officers were on the scene within seconds and responding officers showed up quickly after.
Officers found shell casings at the intersection but no victims were located, Domenico said.
One person was injured in the shooting and went to urgent care on their own with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Brighton Police tweeted that there was “possible student involvement.” Domenico could not confirm whether or not the suspects or victim were students when asked at the news conference.
Police ask anyone with information to contact the Brighton Police Department at 303-655-8740. Anonymous tipsters can contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7876.
Schools placed on secure status after shooting
“The following schools have been placed on SECURE in connection to police response to a shooting in Brighton this afternoon: Brighton High, Vikan Middle, Prairie View High and Middle, South, Southeast Elementary schools, I&O, Bright Beginnings,” a tweet from 27J schools said.
Minutes later, the district tweeted: “A Lockdown was initiated at Prairie View High School in connection to the previous Secure.”
Additional schools were placed on secure, 27J said: “We have placed multiple, additional schools on Secure out an abundance of caution. Schools that have been placed on Secure now include Northeast Elementary, Overland Trail, Thimmig Elementary, and Henderson Elementary schools.”
Around 3:30 p.m., Prairie View High School was taken off lockdown and students were being let out through a controlled release. All other schools were taken off secure status.
Brighton City Council member says students planned fight
According to Brighton City Council member Matt Johnston, at least one student from Brighton Heritage Academy planned a fight with at least one student from Prairie View High School and met at the location of the shooting on South 9th Avenue and Bush Street. Johnston also said the Prairie View student returned to the school campus after the shooting.