No charges for CO. STEM security guard who injured students with illegal gun
Highlands Ranch CO Jan 26 2020
The privately hired security guard on duty during the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting injured two students and was illegally carrying a weapon on school grounds, 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May said in an announcement on Jan. 24.
But the guard also detained and disarmed one of the suspects, possibly saving more lives, May said, and acted in compliance with state law by using deadly force in an effort to stop the shooting.
The guard, identified by May as Shamson Sundara, will not face charges but will enter an adult diversion program, incorporating a restorative justice forum with the shooting victims.
The forum will be mediated by the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which began investiating the guard’s actions during the May 7 shooting after 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler forwarded the case to the office. Brauchler’s office is prosecuting the shooting suspects, Devon Erickson, 19, and Alec McKinney, 16. A spokeswoman said the office had no comment on May’s announcement.
As part of the agreement, Sundara will also complete 50 hours of community service.
“It should be noted that this agreement was reached in consultation with the injured victims and their families, law enforcement and the Douglas County School District,” May wrote.
Video played in court hearings for McKinney, who’s accused of masterminding the attack, shows the 16-year-old walking through the school halls with a gun pointed to his head, attempting to take his life when the guard discovered him.
Sundara was able to detain and disarm McKinney, who will face trial for 43 felony charges, including murder and attempted murder. Several students were injured in the shooting. Senior Kendrick Castillo, 18, died while rushing Erickson.
Shortly after encountering McKinney, Sundara saw an individual dressed in street clothes round the hallway and then saw the muzzle of a gun, May said. He fired two shots in the direction of the gun.
Both shots missed the person but went through the wall of a nearby classroom and injured two students. The person Sundara shot at turned out to be a law enforcement officer.
“As soon as the law enforcement officers identified themselves, Mr. Sundara immediately and fully complied with their commands,” May said.
The guard’s contract with STEM prohibited him from carrying a weapon on school grounds, but May said state statute permitted his use of deadly force in the situation.
“Our investigation has determined that his actions were in compliance with the applicable law,” May said.
Sundara, 30, has worked at BOSS High Level Protection for approximately one year. BOSS president Grant Whitus said the company holds Sundara as a hero who saved lives the day of the shooting.
“We didn’t believe from the beginning that Shamson would be charged with anything, so we’re happy,” Whitus said. “He’s certainly a key witness going forward and he’s happy to help out the prosecution.”
He was not disciplined following STEM and has been promoted to an administrative position overseeing the company’s hiring and recruiting. Whitus said Sundara can still work in the field if he would like to.
“We wouldn’t stop him from doing that,” Whitus said.
Sundara is a military veteran who saw combat in the Middle East, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008-12. He returned home and joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 2013, staying until 2017. Whitus worked as a sergeant for the sheriff’s office at the time until he left to start his security firm and later hired Sundara.
Whitus said he could not comment on why Sundara was armed at STEM despite his contract prohibiting it or why he fired his weapon toward the responding law enforcement officer.
“I hail both of them for what they did but in the chaos in mass shootings, things occur,” Whitus said. “He’s a witness for this prosecution, so he’s going to have to tell his story during these trials.”
