Colorado STEM school shooter targeted kids over gender taunts, police say

DENVER — A high school student charged in a classmate’s death during a Colorado school shooting told police that he planned the shooting for a few weeks and intended to target classmates who made fun of his gender identity.

Alec McKinney, 16, was arrested after a shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado. McKinney has been charged as an adult.Obtained by NBC News

The comments by 16-year-old Alec McKinney are included in police records unsealed Thursday. McKinney’s attorneys have said he identifies as male and does not use the name listed in court records.

Kendrick Castillo was killed in the May 7 shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch.

The second suspect charged in the shooting, 18-year-old Devon Erickson, also told police that McKinney led the attack, according to the records.

Both teens told police they broke into a gun safe at McKinney’s parents’ home then hid the weapons inside a guitar case and a backpack.

source: nbcnews.com