DENVER (KDVR) — Two adult faculty members at Denver East High School were shot Wednesday morning while searching a student who attended the school.
According to Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, the student, who has since been identified as 17-year-old Austin Lyle, was being searched as part of a safety plan.
A source with connections to the district told FOX31 this safety plan was in effect because Lyle had previously been expelled from another district. FOX31 is working to confirm this information with additional sources.
During the search, DPD says a handgun was found and at that point shots were fired. Lyle then ran away from the scene.
According to the source, this search was not being conducted by the usual faculty member.
The two faculty members who were injured were taken to the hospital. As of 11 a.m. one of them was in serious but stable condition and the other was in surgery.
Lyle is described as a Black male who is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes. Police say he was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt when he was last seen.
Additionally, police believe he is associated with a 2005 red Volvo XC90 with Colorado license plates BSCW10.
DPD said officers know the student’s identity, including where he lives and who his family members and associates are.
