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Colo. shooter had other weapons

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - An 18-year-old who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver high school entered the building with a shotgun, a machete, three Molotov cocktails, and ammunition strapped to body, likely intending to track down a librarian who had disciplined him, authorities said Saturday.

In Centennial, Colo. , resident Sean Sweeney takes a break from running to say a prayer outside Arapahoe High School. DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / Associated Press
In Centennial, Colo. , resident Sean Sweeney takes a break from running to say a prayer outside Arapahoe High School. DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / Associated PressRead more

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - An 18-year-old who wounded a fellow student before killing himself at a suburban Denver high school entered the building with a shotgun, a machete, three Molotov cocktails, and ammunition strapped to body, likely intending to track down a librarian who had disciplined him, authorities said Saturday.

After firing a round down a hallway, Karl Pierson shot student Claire Davis, 17, who happened to be sitting nearby with a friend, as he headed toward the library. Davis was shot in the head at point-blank range and remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition.

Pierson set off one of the devices, but killed himself just one minute and 20 seconds after entering the building because he knew a sheriff's deputy assigned to the school was closing in, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said at a news conference.

Pierson's original target was believed to be a librarian who coached the school's speech and debate team. The librarian, whose name was not released, had disciplined the teen in September for reasons that haven't been disclosed.

The librarian was able to escape the school unharmed, Robinson said.

The sheriff also said Davis appeared to be a random target. Based on Pierson's arsenal, Robinson believes the teen intended to hurt many others at the school just eight miles from Columbine High School.

Pierson legally purchased his shotgun at a local store a week before the shooting and bought the ammunition the day of the shooting. Anyone 18 and older is allowed to buy a shotgun in Colorado; only those over 21 can legally buy a handgun.

According to Robinson, Pierson fired another round down the hallway after wounding Davis. He then entered the library, fired one shot, and detonated one Molotov cocktail, which caused three bookshelves to catch fire. After that, he fired a fifth round, ran to a corner, and shot himself.

Students and a teacher described Pierson as a smart and sometimes goofy student who often talked about his beliefs during class, sometimes even debating his teachers. They said he was outspoken about his Communist-leaning political views. They also said he was an Eagle Scout who finished at the top of speech competitions.

Pierson competed in extemporaneous speaking - in which students prepare short speeches on current events - in the National Forensic League's national tournament in June in Birmingham, Ala. He didn't advance to the elimination rounds, the league said.

Meanwhile, Davis' family issued a statement Saturday saying she is suffering from severe head trauma and asking for privacy. Friends and well-wishers posted prayers and comments for her on Twitter, while some students collected money to help pay for her medical expenses.

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Student gunman at Colorado school had other weapons. A8.

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