Colorado’s high country could’ve had its own horrific mass shooting event, when a young local gathered guns and bombs at Garfield County’s theme park on top of a mountain. Investigators are trying to figure why the teen amassed so much firepower, before taking his own life…
(Glenwood Disaster Avoided wrap 1 :55)
That young man broke into Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park a few days ago, authorities say “armed for war.” He hadn’t been on law enforcement’s radar, and he killed himself before hurting anyone else. The Garfield County Sheriff says it could’ve been a devastating mass shooting. This call went out when the 20-year-old’s body was found…
231031 GC radio traffic- weapons :06 Q:…weapons around him…
Sheriff Lou Vallario says Diego Barajas (buh-RAH-hahss) Medina had an “arsenal” of ghost guns with him, including an A-R style rifle; and bombs that included fake grenades, pipe bombs, and a real improvised explosive device. He was found wearing black “SWAT”-style clothing, including a tactical vest with law enforcement patches on it…
231031 L Vallario- could’ve been awful, we’re lucky :05 Q:…did not occur…
Vallario says it appears Medina took his own life, leaving a message behind, on the wall of the ladies’ room where his body was found by a cleaning crew early Saturday morning…
231031 L Vallario- what he said :03 Q:…into the caves…
The Sheriff says the mystery of this case starts with that.
(Glenwood Diaster Avoided wrap 2 :57)
Police say 20-year-old Diego Barajas Medina took the winding service road up the back side of the mountain to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, armed to the hilt, and wearing “tactical” black clothes. He killed himself in a women’s restroom before potentially attacking the public. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario says they had no warning Medina might do something like what he appeared ready for…
231031 L Vallario- no motive :06 Q:…under the radar…
The Sheriff says Medina’s potential attack could’ve been terrible. First responders can only get to the adventure park via gondola, as its guests do, or by driving up the same narrow road he took…
231031 L Vallario- potentially devastating :10 Q:…down now…
Deputies have searched Medina’s home in nearby Carbondale, where they say he lived with his brother and their mom. The Sheriff says his room had no signs of explosives. Investigators still plan to interview his family, friends, and former teachers, as they try to understand what led to Colorado’s own near-catastrophe.