STEM School Shooting Trial: Devon Erickson Found Guilty Of Murder

DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO — A jury found Devon Erickson guilty of first-degree murder Tuesday in the 2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting, which left one student dead and eight others injured.

Erickson, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, pleaded not guilty on Jan. 2, 2020, to first-degree murder and other charges. His attorneys said he was forced to go through with the shooting by co-defendant Alec McKinney, but prosecutors said there was no evidence that Erickson was a victim.

"There is no evidence, zero evidence, of fear," said George Brauchler, chief deputy district attorney. "There is only evidence of a willing partnership."

"They both said their mutual plan was to kill as many people, and then claim that the defendant would be a victim hero."

Erickson's trial began May 31, and prosecuting and defense attorneys presented their closing arguments Monday. The jury began deliberation Tuesday morning, and reached a decision several hours later. Erickson was found guilty of first-degree murder - after deliberation, and dozens of other counts.

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McKinney, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty in February 2020 to first-degree murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo. McKinney was sentenced in July 2020 to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

During Erickson's trial, McKinney testified that they both spent weeks planning the shooting, and decided to blame the shooting on him.

Brauchler argued that Erickson agreed to participate in the attack as long as it looked like he was pressured into it and or could emerge as a hero by killing McKinney.

Brauchler said the students' concocted “victim-hero” strategy unraveled after Castillo rushed Erickson when he pulled out a gun inside a darkened classroom as students watched a movie. Erickson’s gun went off, Castillo was killed and others tackled him, he said.

Their other possible scenario, in which McKinney killed himself, was stymied after an armed security guard apprehended him, Brauchler said.

A toxicologist called by the defense testified Friday that Erickson was severely malnourished because he ingested cocaine, marijuana and cough syrup nearly daily, and he suffered from long-term sleep deprivation and insomnia.

“I believe it created psychiatric symptoms … disruption in mood, behavior and thinking,” Toxicologist Wanda Guidry said of the drugs found in Erickson’s system hours after the shooting. “He had a very difficult time figuring out or thinking of what he needed to do, what was right or what he wanted to do.”

Erickson was eligible to face the death penalty in Colorado because he was charged before the state abolished it; however, prosecutors chose not to seek it.

Erickson's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

“Just over two years ago we lost a real Colorado hero who died trying to protect others," Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement released after the verdict.

"Kendrick Castillo’s bravery will never be forgotten. While we cannot bring Kendrick back, we can find solace in the fact that the people responsible for this tragic and unthinkable event will be held accountable. My heart is with John and Maria at this moment, and all of the lives Kendrick touched.”

More:

• Knights Of Columbus Honor Kendrick Castillo
• Slain Colorado Student Died After Lunging At Shooter: Classmates
• Colorado School Shooting: 5 Heroic Acts That Saved Lives
• STEM School Security Guard Won't Face Criminal Charges

The Associated Press contributed to this report.