Bulletproof glass riddled at Coronado Hills Elementary in Adams County

Masked and hooded boys shot up the entrance of Coronado Hills Elementary in north metro Denver one night last month, leaving holes in the bulletproof glass and school officials waiting for costly repairs.

And after this vandalism on March 26, the students — pre-kindergarten through fifth grade — have been curious upon arrival for class. They want to touch the bullet holes, office manager Rosa Becerra said.

“We let them touch the holes, but we don’t want them to push in the glass,” Becerra said. Boards have been installed as makeshift buttressing.

The glass hadn’t been replaced this week because the cost exceeds $5,000, she said.

The shooting happened during spring break at night and nobody was in the building, Adams 12 Five Star School District officials said. Extra security staffers were added at Coronado Hills, located between Denver and Thornton in unincorporated Adams County, on the first day back from break.

“The school is now leaving its outside lights on overnight,” school district spokeswoman Alicia Stice said. “Our facilities team has measured the windows and ordered replacement glass. Depending on supply chain issues, we anticipate completing repairs within the month.”

Security surveillance camera imagery showed boys who couldn’t easily be identified because they wore ski masks and hoodies. A school security officer concluded they fired a heavy-duty pellet gun, powerful enough to penetrate bullet-proof glass.

Adams County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the incident, and anyone who has information to call the anonymous tip line, 720-322-1313.

“We don’t have a lot to go on. It is an open investigation,” Adams County Sgt. Adam Sherman said Thursday.

For Coronado Hills Elementary parents “who were really worried,” Becerra said, “we sent out communications” and also deployed school staffers outside the building last week.

“Hopefully this will be taken care of soon. It is very sad for our community.”

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