Woman who allegedly threatened Colo. schools found dead
Sheriff says she bought gun, then shot herself
DENVER – After a one-day manhunt, a woman who made “credible threats” against Denver-area schools before the 20th anniversary of the Columbine mass shooting was found dead Wednesday of a self-inflicted gunshot, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader said.
Sol Pais, 18, flew Monday night from Miami to Colorado and bought a pump-action shotgun and ammuni- tion at a gun shop in the Littleton area, not far from Columbine High School, Shrader said.
Dean Phillips, special agent in charge for the FBI in Denver, said Pais was found dead in the Mount Evans area near the Echo Mountain ski resort west of Denver on Wednesday morning around 10:30 a.m.
The investigation is ongoing to ensure there were no additional participants or foul play. Phillips said it looked as if she was alone and took her own life with the weapon she bought.
Pais' actions and comments relayed to law enforcement from people she had spoken to prompted officials to close schools across the Denver area – including Columbine. They are set to reopen Thursday. The alleged threats were general and not specific to any Colorado school.
Pais’ parents reported her missing Monday night, according to the police department in Surfside, Florida.
Her death capped an anxious day in the Denver area and a search launched Tuesday night after Pais, dressed in camouflage pants and black boots, disappeared in the foothills west of Denver. Officials from Florida and Colorado coordinated on the investigation. “It was a long night,” Phillips said, pointing to command posts that went around the clock and crediting a robust effort among multiple agencies, states and levels of government. “It was an incredible effort in the Denver metro area – I can tell you.”
The school closures affected more than 500,000 students in Colorado.
“We are relieved that the threat to our schools and our community is no longer present,” said Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Jason Glass. “While this threat has been the most significant, it’s not the only challenge facing our schools and our community in these days leading up to the Columbine anniversary.”
John McDonald, executive director of safety and security for the school district, said administrators are used to threats at Columbine.
“We know that Columbine continues to attract people from around the world. And if I have any message: We’re not a place to come visit if you’re not a student. If you don’t have business there, we’re not a tourist attraction, and we’re not a place for you to come and be an inspiration.”