Douglas County, CO – A 15-year-old boy is facing serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder, after allegedly bringing an explosive device to Ponderosa High School earlier this month, authorities said Thursday.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the alarming incident unfolded on March 4 around 9:30 a.m. when the school resource officer (SRO) was alerted about a suspicious item inside a student’s backpack. The officer quickly located and detained the student before securing the backpack.
Deputies, along with the department’s Bomb Squad, were called to the scene. As a precaution, students and staff were evacuated for over two hours while the device was examined. Authorities later confirmed that the item was, in fact, an explosive device.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and after a thorough sweep of the campus, no additional threats were found.
The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his juvenile status, has been charged in the 23rd Judicial District with multiple felonies, including:
- Attempted first-degree murder after deliberation
- Attempted first-degree assault – extreme indifference
- Manufacturing an explosive or incendiary device
- Possession of an explosive or incendiary device
Additionally, he faces a misdemeanor charge for interference with a school – credible threat and two sentence enhancements as an aggravated juvenile offender and violent juvenile offender.
Ponderosa High School, located at 7007 Bayou Gulch Road near Parker, was declared safe after the investigation concluded. However, the shocking nature of the incident has left students, parents, and staff deeply unsettled.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, and additional details may emerge as the legal process unfolds.
