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SITUATION REPORT 2006-14

Bailey School - Hostage Incident

Report Date: September 27, 2006

Event Type: School-related Incident

Situation: At approximately 12:15pm MST, an adult male walked into Platte Canyon High School (57393 U.S. Highway 285, Bailey, CO 80421) (approximately 450 students enrolled), in Bailey, Colorado, fired one shot (not striking anyone), and took several hostages. Based upon a 911 call, the adult male stated he had a bomb. By 2:45pm MST, all hostages except for two female students had been released. Shortly after 3:35pm MST, an explosion occurred, forced entry was conducted by law enforcement personnel resulting in one hostage being injured.

The student, a 16-year-old junior, reportedly died at St. Anthony hospital at 4:32 p.m.after being transported from the scene by Flight for Life. The second hostage is reported to be uninjured, and the suspect was killed.

Park County Sheriff reported the hostage took his own life at a 4:30pm MST Press Conference.

Platte Canyon High School is located 46 miles southwest of Denver on Highway 285, near the Jefferson County/Park County line.

Schools within the City that were locked down included: West Jefferson Middle School, Conifer High School, Elk Creek Elementary School, Fitzsimmons Middle School, and Deer Creek School. Eventually, the students from these schools were evacuated via bus to Deer Creek Elementary School where the parents could pick them up. Just as a contingency, the Park County school district (closest school is 45 miles away) partially lockdown their schools.

Jefferson County Sheriffs Office established Incident Command. Highway 285 on both sides of the school had been closed between mile marker 218 and 222. Traffic was rerouted to
County Road 64.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Weather Report: Mostly sunny and mild with highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. West winds of 10-25 mph with blow over the higher ridgelines and passes. Tonight, mostly clear and calm. Lows in the 20s and low 30s.

Agencies Involved: Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado Department of Transportation; Colorado State Patrol; FBI/ATF; Flight-for Life (air ambulance); Jefferson County Bomb Squad; Jefferson County School District; Jefferson County SWAT; Park County Sheriff’s Office, Park County SWAT; Salvation Army; St. Anthony’s Hospital; and Swedish Medical Center in suburban Denver (on alert).

Additional Assistance Requested: None at this time

Misc. Info: The Jefferson County EOC had been activated.