Shooting puts Brighton schools on ‘secure’, lockdown status

Three suspects arrested in wake of shooting outside of Brighton High

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

One person was wounded after a shooting on March 15 at South Ninth Avenue and Bush Street, near Brighton High School.

“We believe we have all the suspects in custody at this time,” Brighton Police Chief Matt Domenico said at a press conference at the scene. “We have three individuals in custody, two that were taken into custody at a tra c stop and another that was taken into custody a little later.” e resulting investigation put both Brighton and Prairie View high schools on lockdown, meaning all doors were closed and locked, connement of students to the school and no entry to or exit from the school. Other schools were on “secure stats,” meaning a threat in the area near a school. is was formerly called a “lockout.”

“ e school district is working with the Brighton Police Department now and conducting a controlled release,” Domenico said at the 3 p.m. press conference.

“ is came out at about 12:30 p.m., and this is lunchtime, and there are multiple schools in the area. ere were a number of students in the area,” Domenico said. “I just want to share that our concern right now is that incidents like this are traumatic for everyone involved, but especially our school community and we do send our thoughts to everyone there.” e incident happened near South Ninth Avenue and Bush Street. One victim went to an area urgent care clinic with a gunshot wound and Brighton police tweeted that potential suspects were near East 120th Avenue and Salem Street.

Counselors were available March 16 for those who needed them, according to district spokesman Kevin Denke.

Police searched several classrooms inside PVHS -- not far from the reported sighting -- but did not nd a suspect.

At his press conference, Domenico declined to say how old the people involved in the shooting were or if they were students at either school.

In a written statement issued later in the day, Brighton Police said that additional juveniles believed to be involved were contacted and detained.

Detectives believe this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Neighbor Betty Ho man said she heard a noise around 12:30 p.m. but assumed it was reworks.

“Nothing ever happens around here,” she said. “I just thought it was reworks.”

BPD spokeswoman Kylynn Delohery said police recovered shell casings near the original shooting scene but no weapons. Police searched Orchard Church next to PVHS and the school’s ball elds without success. e schools on secure status were Brighton High School, Vikan Middle School, Prairie View Middle School, South Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School, the Innovations & Options campus and Bright Beginnings campus. 27J added more schools to that list, including Northeast Elementary School, Overland Trail Elementary School, immig Elementary School and Henderson Elementary School. Authorities issued an all-clear shortly before 3 p.m. e parking lot at Prairie View HS remained closed while police search around the school for a suspect and a potentially related vehicle. Police said there was a “controlled release” by section of the school once the search inside the school was nished.

Police used a drone around the original crime scene at Ninth Avenue and Bush Street to do grid mapping of the area.

Commerce City police, Adams County sheri ’s deputies, ornton police and the Colorado State Patrol assisted.

Brighton Police are asking neighbors surrounding 9th Avenue and Bush Street to review any camera footage they may have. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to please contact the Brighton Police Department at 303-6558740. You may also remain anonymous and contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7876.