Parents of Colorado School Shooter Will Not Face Gun Charges
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that the parents of the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooter will not face criminal gun charges. A months-long investigation found insufficient evidence to prove they violated state or federal firearm laws when acquiring the handgun used in the 2023 attack.
Key Takeaways
- No charges for parents after investigation into gun purchase.
- Authorities cite insufficient evidence under safe storage and straw purchase laws.
- Victims’ families had called for parental accountability.
- The broader investigation into the 2023 shooting remains open.
Investigation Details
Investigators examined whether the unnamed parents broke Colorado’s “safe storage” law, which requires guns to be kept from juveniles, or federal law against “straw purchases”—buying a firearm for someone prohibited from owning one.
“After a thorough review of the applicable state and federal laws, and in consultation with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, it has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the parents at this time,” the sheriff’s office stated.
Context and Community Impact
The decision comes as some victims’ families have demanded the parents be held responsible. The parents have not publicly commented.
The May 7, 2023, shooting at the Denver-suburb charter school killed 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo, who confronted the gunman, and injured eight other students. The incident deeply shocked the community.
The sheriff’s office confirmed its overall investigation into the shooting remains active.
