Sheriff: Colo. Gunman Also Had Machete, Three 'Incendiary' Devices, Ammo Strapped to His Body When He Entered School

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — An 18-year-old who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver school had entered the building with a shotgun, a machete and three incendiary devices in his backpack and had ammunition strapped to body, authorities said Saturday.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said Karl Pierson intended to harm many more people but ended up killing himself less than two minutes after entering Arapahoe High School Friday because he knew a sheriff's deputy was closing in.

Robinson said at a news conference that the teen bought the pump-action shotgun legally Dec. 6 at a local store. Anyone over 18 is allowed to buy a shotgun in Colorado; only those over 21 can legally buy a handgun.

Also Saturday, Robinson identified the wounded student as 17-year-old Claire Esther Davis. Robinson said Davis was seated with a friend near the door Pierson used to enter the school when Pierson shot her at point-blank range.

Davis wasn't a specific, intended target, the sheriff said.

"She is an innocent young lady, and she was an innocent victim of an evil act of violence," Robinson said. Davis remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition.

Robinson said Pierson bought ammunition Friday. His likely motive was retaliation against a faculty member — probably a librarian at the school.

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