LOCKDOWN

FROM PAGE 6 happens that’s too big. So I was just confused about what could happen.”

Laura Mehew, a Littleton High School mother, said she is concerned about the impact of swatting on students, especially considering how many are being victimized by these incidents.

“ ese kids have been exposed to so much, they’re almost becoming desensitized to it a little bit, which is, in my opinion, a defense mechanism,” she said. “It’s in the hundreds, I would say the thousands of students who are being impacted by (swatting)… It causes trauma.”

Littleton High School alone has approximately 1,300 students, so thousands of Colorado students have been victims of swatting in recent weeks.

Mehew is particularly concerned because her family was involved in an active shooter situation a few years ago. e suspect in that situation ended up being unarmed, making her familiar with the trauma that threat situations can cause, even if they do not end up causing physical harm.

Yongue said swatting is “frustrating” and “disgusting.”

Gun Locks

FROM PAGE 23 shot outside of his school. Garcia was a member of the Denver East Angels soccer team, according to a GoFundMe that was created Feb. 14 to support

“(Kids) have this true threat that they deal with, and we as parents deal with every day that we send our kids to school,” she said. “To have somebody exploit that is — I don’t understand how you get to a state of mind where you think, ‘ is is what I’m going to do today.’ And it’s even more frustrating to know that they will most likely never be caught.” e Littleton Police Department said they are working with local partners and the FBI as investigations into the incident move forward.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, those who post or send false threats can receive up to ve years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges. In Colorado, false reporting of an emergency is a class 1 misdemeanor, but can be raised to a felony if injury occurs.

Mehew said she is grateful for those who work to keep students safe when situations like this occur.

“Our school people are put on the frontlines of so many issues that kids are facing right now,” she said. “Education and trying to educate them is just one part of it. ey’re having to help these kids through so much more. So I’m very appreciative of the school and of the Littleton Police Department.”

Garcia and his family.

East High students, many wearing red, were joined by members of Moms Demand Action in asking for legislative action. After holding a rally on the west steps of the Capitol, the students gathered in the Senate gallery and watched as legislators addressed them, according to e Colorado Sun.