HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — A private security guard who officials say accidentally wounded two students during the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting that left one teen dead reached an agreement Friday with the injured victims and their families, law enforcement and the Douglas County School District.
The Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office said that the Shamson Sundara’s alleged improper use of a weapon on school grounds will result in him entering into an adult diversion program.
The DA’s office also said that Sundara will complete 50 hours of community service.
The DA’s office shared this about the day of the shooting:
“An investigation has revealed that Mr. Sundara detained and disarmed one of the alleged shooters in the school hallway, possibly preventing further injury and loss of life. Immediately after detaining the suspect, he saw an individual dressed in street clothes round the corner of the hallway and spotted the muzzle of a gun. Mr. Sundara fired two shots in the direction of the gun. Although both shots missed the subject, who turned out to be a law enforcement officer, they went through the wall of a classroom where students were gathered. Two students were struck, sustaining non-life threatening injuries. As soon as the law enforcement officers identified themselves, Mr. Sundara immediately and fully complied with their commands.”
The DA’s office said that Sundara was prohibited from carrying a weapon on school grounds, according to his employer’s contract with the school.
However, a revised statute states that deadly physical force may be used only if a person reasonably believes a lesser degree of force is inadequate and the actor has reasonable ground to believe, and does believe, that he or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or of receiving great bodily injury, according to the attorney’s office.
The DA’s office said that even though it was was illegal for Sundara to have a gun on the premises, the investigation determined that his actions were in compliance with the law.
Sundara worked for BOSS High Level Protection. Its president, Grant Whitus, described Sundara as a “hero.”
“Certainly the students took action in the other room taking down one shooter. Shamson got to the second one. [If] those two things didn’t occur, how many children would’ve been killed that day?” Whitus said.
Whitus said he has since promoted Sundara, placing him in charge of recruiting and hiring.
Whitus did not want to comment on the fact Sundara was armed despite BOSS’ contract with the school saying otherwise.
Whitus said Sundara is a combat veteran.
“[Sundara] did let me know that this was harder than combat because when it occurred, he had no idea who the good guys and who the bad guys were,” Whitus said.
A STEM School spokesperson sent the following statement Friday afternoon:
“STEM School Highlands Ranch is unable to provide comment in regards to the decision released by the 4th Judicial District today due to ongoing legal matters.”
The spokesperson also said notice of claims have been filed against the school by four families. The school has not filed claims against anyone.
