Teen arrested in Aurora shooting that injured six high schoolers

AURORA, Colo. — Six Aurora Central High School students were hospitalized Monday after a shooting in Nome Park, according to the Aurora Police Department.

The teens are between the ages of 14 and 18. The 18-year-old took themself to the hospital, police said.

Speaking to media, Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson said the victims’ injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, but that one of the teens underwent emergency surgery.

Police announced the shooting on Twitter around 1 p.m. During a 3 p.m. press conference, Wilson called gun violence a “public health crisis.”

“When I got the call, my heart dropped,” Wilson said. “I think enough is enough. And I think we need to come together as a community. This is a public health crisis. There is a violence crisis across the nation right now. I think we all need to pay attention.”

Nome Park is directly across the street from Central HS. Following the shooting, the school operated under a secure perimeter protocol, which happens when there is “a significant risk outside of the building or potential for risk inside of the building.” Nobody was allowed in or out of the school while they were under a secure perimeter.

Aurora PD did not have any descriptions of suspects, only that the department believes it was a drive-by shooting and that there were multiple suspects involved.

Children’s Hospital Colorado told The Colorado Sun that it received three of the patients. Their condition was listed as “stable” and a hospital spokesperson said those teens have been reunited with their families.

Parents and guardians of students at Central HS received an automated message and email from the school system about a controlled dismissal.

Henry Martinez, who lives across the street from the park, told Rocky Mountain PBS he heard between 30 and 50 shots. He said shots were fired from a car. Martinez said he called 911.

A Rocky Mountain PBS journalist on scene noticed at least 10 bullet casings near the media staging area at 13th and Nome.

“My heart breaks for these children,” tweeted State Rep. Dominique Jackson, a democrat who represents Aurora. “My thoughts are with them and their families as we await more information.

Wilson encouraged anyone in the area with a doorbell camera that may have captured the shooting to send the recording to police. She also urged parents and guardians of Central HS students to ask their children to come forward with any information that may be useful to the investigation.

Aurora PD has been releasing information on Twitter. You can follow along here.

This story will be updated.

Kyle Cooke is the digital media manager at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at kylecooke@rmpbs.org.