Hickenlooper: Response To Shooting Was 'Incredible'
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Gov. John Hickenlooper has had to help Coloradans affected by several different tragedies since he entered office in 2011, and on Friday he was out at the scene of a school shooting in Centennial to offer his support.
"Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Arapahoe School community and we'll do everything we can to help them get through this," he said.
Hickenlooper joined Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson near Arapahoe High School to discuss the shooting response on Friday afternoon, less than three hours after the tragic shooting took place. A student apparently killed himself inside the school after shooting and injuring two other students.
"In this case we saw the incredible training and preparation of our first responders," Hickenlooper said.
Robinson said the deputies and police who came to the school didn't hesitate when they arrived at the school after the reports came in about a gunman.
"The response protocols around active shooters were put into place immediately," Robinson said. "The first deputy sheriffs and police officers that were on scene immediately entered the school to engage the shooter to see if they could locate that individual and keep the students safe."
"This is a good school district," said Hickenlooper, who said he is highly dismayed to have seen this "all-too-familiar sequence of ... unspeakable horror a place of learning."
Hickenlooper said he's proud to see that there's been a "world of change" when it comes to how police respond to active shootings. He said he was impressed to see the officers who entered the school locating the gunman within minutes.
Complete Statement
The governor released the following official statement through his office later on Friday:
This is an unspeakable horror and something no child, no family should have to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arapahoe High School community and those affected by this senseless act of violence. We thank law enforcement and first responders for their swift work. All of Colorado is with you.
