Colorado teenage gunman had 'very strong beliefs about gun laws' and Republicans
A clearer picture emerges of 18-year-old Arapahoe High School shooter Karl Pierson, who carried a shotgun and a grudge onto campus, critically wounding 15-year-old girl.
Comments (70)By Deborah Hastings / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 9:42 AM
Updated: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 1:04 PM
Karl Pierson, shown here in a photo posted on his Facebook page, is the
18-year-old Arapahoe High School student who turned his weapon on
himself as police closed in after he shot a fellow student.
He was bullied for his outspoken opinions and didn't care much for Republicans.
Karl Pierson, 18, who stormed his Colorado high school brandishing a shotgun and bearing hatred for his debate coach, critically injured a 15-year-old fellow student before shooting himself to death Friday afternoon as he was cornered by heavily armed police.
"He had very strong beliefs about gun laws and stuff," said junior Abbey Skoda, who shared a class with Pierson during her freshmen year, The Denver Post reported. "I also heard he was bullied a lot."
After undergoing surgery Friday, the injured girl was listed in
critical, but stable, condition on Saturday. A second student believed
to be injured turned out to be fine when it was discovered that blood on
her shirt was not hers. A handful of students were treated for panic
attacks, but were otherwise fine, authorities said Saturday.
RELATED: GUNMAN DEAD, ONE OTHER STUDENT SHOT AT ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL NEAR DENVER
On his Facebook page, he seemed to make fun of Republicans, writing
"you republicans are so cute" and posting an image that read: "The
Republican Party: Health Care: Let 'em Die, Climate Change: Let 'em Die,
Gun Violence: Let 'em Die, Women's Rights: Let 'em Die, More War: Let
'em Die. Is this really the side you want to be on?" The Denver Post reported.
On Saturday, his Facebook comments had been wiped from his page.
RELATED: NEWTOWN SHOOTER HAD NO MOTIVE: AUTHORITIES
He also was a track athlete and a member of the debate team. Pierson was suspended from Arapahoe High in September for threatening debate coach Tracy Murphy, a friend said. On Friday, as he charged onto campus, he shouted "Where's Murphy? Where's Murphy?" witnesses said.
The teacher immediately left campus in a bid to lure the shooter away from other students, police said. It was a failed effort.
On Saturday, the shooter's body remained where it fell in a classroom after he turned his weapon on himself. The high school will be closed on Monday.
Karl Pierson, 18, who stormed his Colorado high school brandishing a shotgun and bearing hatred for his debate coach, critically injured a 15-year-old fellow student before shooting himself to death Friday afternoon as he was cornered by heavily armed police.
Joe Redmond
Tracy Murphy, the school's librarian and debate coach, was the target of Karl Pierson’s rampage, students said. He left campus, trying to lure the shooter away.
"He had very strong beliefs about gun laws and stuff," said junior Abbey Skoda, who shared a class with Pierson during her freshmen year, The Denver Post reported. "I also heard he was bullied a lot."
Ed Andrieski/AP
Sheriffs deputies stand guard over students on the track field of Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., after a student opened fire with a shotgun, wounding a 15-year-old girl. Karl Pierson later took his own life.
RELATED: GUNMAN DEAD, ONE OTHER STUDENT SHOT AT ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL NEAR DENVER
Brennan Linsley/AP
Freshman Allie Zadrow, center right, hugs classmate Liz Reinhardt at a church following a school shooting in which the gunman took his own life after critically injuring fellow student.
On Saturday, his Facebook comments had been wiped from his page.
Chris Schneider/Getty Images
JoAnne Allen, right, hugs her son Alex Allen, 17, after shooting at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., leaves student critically injured.
He also was a track athlete and a member of the debate team. Pierson was suspended from Arapahoe High in September for threatening debate coach Tracy Murphy, a friend said. On Friday, as he charged onto campus, he shouted "Where's Murphy? Where's Murphy?" witnesses said.
Ed Andrieski/AP
Police searched the Highlands Ranch, Colo., family home of 18-year-old Karl on Pierson Friday evening.
On Saturday, the shooter's body remained where it fell in a classroom after he turned his weapon on himself. The high school will be closed on Monday.
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