CLEAR CREEK COUNTY- NBC News is reporting the woman who traveled to Colorado and was reportedly “infatuated” with Columbine has been found dead.
Sol Pais, 18, was found near the Echo Lake Campground near the base of Mt. Evans in Clear Creek County.
We will be posting updates on this developing situation in the story below.
1:11 p.m. Update
Colorado Gun Broker posted to its Facebook page that Pais bought a shotgun at its Littleton location. The store said the purchase was legal and she was passed the background check.
The store wrote employees had no reason to believe she was a threat to herself or others.
The end of the post read ” We are praying for her family. And are very thankful this situation did not escalate into a public tragedy.”
12:32 p.m. Update
Clear Creek County Sheriff Rick Albers said tips from the community and the FBI helped them locate Pais’ body near the Echo Lake campground a little before 10 a.m.
Albers said investigators arrived on scene around 9 a.m. and it took a little less than an hour before they found her approximately a half mile from the parking lot at the Echo Lake Lodge.
He said she was alone and was located away from trails in a wooded area. Investigators believed she walked to the spot where she was found dead.
It’s not clear how long she was dead before authorities found her.
11:35 a.m. Update
Law enforcement confirms Sol Pais died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
10:57 a.m. Update
NBC News’ Pete Williams says a law enforcement official told him that Sol Pais is dead.
10:53 a.m. Update
Authorities say Sol Pais, the woman “infatuated” with the Columbine shooting and suspected of making threats against Denver school, has been located, according to 9News in Denver.
The FBI tweeted there is “no longer a threat to the community” after they tweeted just 17 minutes after they tweeted about police activity happening at the Echo Lake Campground, which is near the base of Mt. Evans in Clear Creek County.
Pais’ condition has not been confirmed at this time.
10:31 a.m. Update
The FBI confirmed there is police activity in the area around the base of Mt. Evans in Clear Creek County. Other media outlets are reporting she has been apprehended, but that has not yet been confirmed by law enforcement.
We can confirm there is investigative activity around the base of Mt. Evans. The investigation is active and ongoing. More information will follow soon. #FindSol
— FBI Denver (@FBIDenver) April 17, 2019
9:59 a.m. Update
Governor Polis released the following statement about the search efforts and school closures today.
“We know that there is a lot of anxiety right now in Colorado. We want to reassure you that federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together and dedicating all of their resources to locate this dangerous individual. The most important thing that we can do to assist law enforcement is to continue to share the photograph of the suspect and report any information. Coloradans have a history of coming together in times of need and now is no different. Our biggest priority is keeping our children safe. We thank you for your patience while we deal with this threat.”
9:24 a.m. Update
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said there will not be a news conference about the search for Pais. Some outlets had reported there would be an update this morning from authorities.
8:43 a.m. Update
Colorado Springs School District 11 issued a statement saying the district will be on a heightened alert with increased security as a precaution.
Like other announcements from other districts in southern Colorado, D11 stressed there is no specific threat to the district.
8:06 a.m. Update
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said it is increasing patrols in around schools, neighborhoods and businesses as a precaution. They’re urging residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.
7:59 a.m. Update
Academy District 20 sent a statement to parents that said it is increasing security throughout the district as a precaution.
The district said it is “aware of the situation in Denver and monitoring it closely.”
7:50 a.m. Update
The Cañon City Police Department posted to its Facebook page that more officers will be at Cañon City schools Wednesday as a precaution.
Police said there was no credible threat to Cañon City schools, but they encouraged the community to look for suspicious activity.
7:10 a.m. Update
Colorado Springs police tell News5 a lockdown at Sand Creek High School is related to a search for a robbery suspect in the area and is NOT related to the search for Sol Pais.
Police asked students and faculty at Sand Creek to wait until the situation is resolved before reporting to school.
5:33 a.m. Update
Colorado Springs police tell News5 they have no plans to add extra security at local schools at this time, but those plans could change.
Police tell us school resource officers are aware of the threat and will be vigilant.
CSPD says officers are closely monitoring the situation. The FBI has not indicated that Pais is targeting schools outside of the Denver Metro area.
5:12 a.m. Update
The following districts in the Denver area have canceled classes Wednesday:
- Adams County School District
- Boulder Valley Public Schools
- Cherry Creek Schools
- Clear Creek RE-1
- Denver Public Schools
- Douglas County School District
- Elbert School District #200
- Elizabeth School District
- Englewood Schools
- Greeley-Evans School District 6
- Jefferson County School District
- Littleton Public Schools
- Mapleton Public Schools
- Sheridan School District
- St. Vrain Valley
- Thompson School District
- Weld County RE-8
- Westminster Public Schools
Many other private schools have also canceled classes as well in the Denver Metro area. No schools in southern Colorado have canceled classes at this time.
Background information
The FBI said in a news conference Tuesday night that Pais flew to Denver from Miami Monday and bought a pump-action shotgun and ammunition shortly after arriving.
“She has made some concerning comments in the past. She has expressed an infatuation with Columbine and the events that happened there 20 years ago.”
The FBI said she traveled to the foothills of Jefferson County, and that is her last known location. The FBI said it has received numerous threats about Columbine over the years, but the agency considers this threat credible.
The FBI said Tuesday night it has no information about any specific threat to a particular school.
Authorities searched Pais’ home in Surfside, Fla., which is in the Miami Beach area.
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, where 12 students and a teacher were killed.
