Suspects were heard in front of a Colorado school while hundreds of foreigners pay homage to a student hero



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Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec McKinney, 16, are expected to face charges in a Colorado court on Wednesday.

Authorities initially described the young suspect as a woman. But the suspect's lawyer said the 16-year-old calls Alec and uses the pronoun "he," said Colorado Justice Department spokesman Rob McCallum.

The two students at STEM School Highlands Ranch face charges of murder and attempted murder, District Attorney George Brauchler said. It is not known yet whether Alec will be charged as an adult.

In the eight days following the shooting in the school, which killed one student and injured eight others, new information came out about one of the suspects, the charges against the school and the high school student who lost his life to protect others.

Hundreds of Jeeps to arrive for hero's killed memorial

Kentrick Castillo has spent his last moments trying to stop the attack, said his classmates. He was killed while he was heading towards an armed man, just days before he was supposed to graduate.
This student died trying to stop the Colorado school shooter

"Because of what he's done, others are alive, and I thank God for that," said his father, John Castillo, who lost his only son. "But there is another part of you that wants it to turn around and hide, hide."

On Wednesday, hundreds of supporters will gather at a "celebration of life" for Kendrick at the Cherry Hills Community Church.

Among them, more than 600 Jeep drivers will pay tribute to the 18-year-old Jeep enthusiast, CNN affiliate KCNC said.

"As soon as we learned that Kendrick was a Jeeper, it all spread like wildfire in the Jeep community," Catherine Fanaro, founder of Colorado Jeep Girls, told KCNC.

Fanaro said she had obtained permission to participate in the commemorative procession of 600 Jeepers, but more than 800 have announced their intention to attend.

School director refuses to respond to charges of intimidation against an armed man

Erickson, the eldest of the two suspects, is a bully who has joked about the shooting and threatened other students for years, said his former friend Kevin Cole.

Former Colorado firearms friend intimidates others and jokes about shootings in schools, says former friend

"He would come closer and hug on your shoulder while you're sitting, and he'd just say to you:" Do not come to school tomorrow, "make you smile. and come home, its headquarters, "said Kevin, 16.

Kevin's brother, Brian, 18, said that he had been verbally intimidated by Erickson and that he had often complained to the STEM school leadership – as often as every two weeks.

"That's what happens, nothing changes," recalls Brian. "If anything, it gets worse."

Brian said the directors had always promised to take care of the situation but had apparently never done so.

The school's executive director, Penny Eucker, would not answer CNN's questions about the allegations of intimidation.

The district urged schools to investigate their concerns, they could become the next

Eucker also declined to discuss why the school decided to sue a parent for defamation after he filed a series of claims against the school in December.

The parent cited an alleged bomb threat and clashes between students as evidence that the school could become the scene of another attack similar to that of Columbine, according to a letter obtained by CNN.

The parent, who did not want to be identified, also made a dozen other allegations to the school, including an assertion that "money is sent to the school. China and Mexico ".

Students return slowly to class

One week after the deadly attack, K-12 high school students easily find their regular class schedule.

Cass teaches people to be first responders during a mass shot

According to a letter sent to parents, elementary students returned to school for half a day Wednesday. "Mental health support staff will be available on site," said the school.

Students in Grades 6 to 12 may return on Wednesday to collect their belongings, although some cases "may not be accessible due to legal restrictions," said the school.

High school students will return to class on a modified schedule starting Thursday.

But the school stressed that families can make their own decisions about returning to school.

"We want to respect the healing process for every member of our community," said the school.

Sara Weisfeldt and Marlena Baldacci from CNN contributed to this report.

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