Denver Schools Close Due to 'Columbine-obsessed' Woman

[Chance]

From BBC News:

Schools throughout the city of Denver, Colorado, have closed for the day as authorities search for an "extremely dangerous" woman.

Sol Pais, 18, is reportedly obsessed with the 1999 Columbine high school massacre, in which two teenagers murdered 12 students and a teacher.

The 20th anniversary of the attack is on 20 April.

FBI agent Dean Phillips told reporters Ms Pais was a "credible threat to the community".

Authorities issued a security warning to schools throughout the Denver area late on Tuesday. Since then, a number of districts have announced closures, including Cherry Creek, Mapleton and Jefferson County.

The CBS network reported that more than 130 schools had closed.

....

FBI agents in Miami alerted their colleagues in Colorado after Ms Pais travelled to the state.

While she made no specific threat against schools, Mr Phillips said her comments made her a danger. She has not been charged with any crime but the priority was to find her, he said.

[JRB]

I really hate making these kinds of idiots famous.

But at least this one is famous only for being an idiot at this point, and hopefully this 15 mins of fame means she won't be able to add 'murderer' to the reasons why she's a waste of life.


Edit:

That said, I can't help but feel like this is offering serious power to every other like-minded idiot out there. "Obsess over the murder of defenseless people and we'll make you famous and feared!!" is the wrong message for these knuckleheads.

[RJ]

Asshole apparently assuming room temperature from self-inflicted lead poisoning, reports Denver Mayor at a news conference just now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Criminologists have been saying this for years. However, the media likes a Breaking News story! Studying Columbine and VT has been found in many of the shooters and ones caught before acting.

The reports, if need should be low key. Showing the kids fleeing in terror, the crying parents and victims, the memorials, etc. - all act as vicarious reinforcement for the next shooter planning an attack. It's pretty standard social learning theory. See Mom cry over Biff and Buffy being dead - what a turn on for the next killer.

[Jay Cunningham]

That's a rough 18.

[TAZ]

The report was very confusing. If she is classified as a credible threat why can’t she be arrested? Maybe it’s my definition of credible.

At some point the media will need to be made to understand how their actions help the crazy instead of help the normal. No idea how that can be accomplished without violating 1A. It would seem that the investigating agencies who feed the flames with details might want to rethink how much information they release and punish those who violate policies.

[UNM1136]

CNN and ABC are reporting she has been found dead in Colorado. No link, just heard it on the radio in the car.

pat

ETA: should have read the thread more closely...bedtime!

[Casual Friday]

That's a rough 18.

No kidding. That's not even a good 28.

[MGW]

Que talking heads discussing the merits of red flag laws in 3...2...1

[JohnO]

Crazy set of circumstances were the fear over a lone lunatic can disrupt a metropolitan area.