15-year-old boy charged with attempted murder after allegedly bringing explosive to Ponderosa High School

A 15-year-old boy has been charged in Douglas County for allegedly bringing an explosive device to Ponderosa High School earlier this month. On March 4, a school resource officer received reports of a suspicious device in a student's backpack, leading to the immediate detention of the student and the discovery of the device.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office dispatched its Bomb Squad to examine the backpack while the school underwent an evacuation process. The device was confirmed to be a type of explosive, prompting an extensive search of the premises. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no additional devices were discovered during the investigation.

The juvenile, whose identity is protected due to his age, faces serious charges in the 23rd Judicial District, including attempted murder, attempted first-degree assault, manufacturing and possession of an explosive device, and interference with a school. The first four charges are classified as felonies, while the last is a misdemeanor. Additionally, he may face sentence enhancements as both an aggravated juvenile offender and a violent juvenile offender.

Ponderosa High School, located outside Parker, is part of the Douglas County School District and was impacted significantly during the incident, as students and staff were evacuated for over two hours. The prompt actions of the school resource officer and law enforcement helped ensure the safety of those at the school.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns about school safety and the response of authorities to potential threats. Community discussions continue regarding measures to prevent such incidents and to support students and staff in the wake of such alarming events.