16-year-old Colorado STEM school shooting suspect to be tried as an adult, expected to face 48 counts including first-degree murder
Devon Michael Erickson, 18 and Alec McKinney, 16 will both be charged as adults in the Colorado school shooting trial, local district attorney George Brauchler has confirmed, according to a report. Both the suspects face up to 48 counts with charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder and gun charges.
Before the 16-year-old's name and identity was revealed, the authorities described him as a girl named Maya Elizabeth McKinney who likes to go by the name Alec, said court documents. The two teens are accused of killing one student and wounding eight more at STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7.
Kendrick Castillo, who died in the shooting protecting his classmates, has since been hailed a hero.
The charges brought against the two are one count of first-degree murder, 33 counts of attempted first-degree murder – extreme indifference; two counts of second-degree arson; one count of a juvenile in possession of a handgun; two counts of third-degree burglary; two counts of theft between $2,000-$5,000; one count of weapon possession on school grounds; two counts of criminal mischief; one count of interference with school – impede staff; one count of reckless endangerment; one count of violent crime – causing death; and one count of violent crime – used weapon.
The two accused appeared in Douglas County District Court before Judge Theresa Slade on Wednesday, who denied bond for both, according to local reports. More details about the two accused are being kept under wraps by the court. McKinney's defense attorneys immediately challenged the judge's decision and asked her to consider sending it back to juvenile court. The judge will make her decision after a later hearing.
Erickson is scheduled to have a status hearing June 7.
MEA World Wide (MEAWW) previously reported that the two suspects allegedly walked into the school through an entrance without metal detectors and opened fire in two classrooms. Because the attack happened only miles from Columbine High School and just weeks after the shooting's 20th anniversary, questions quickly arose about whether it was inspired by the 1999 massacre. But investigators offered no immediate motive.
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