A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 12-year old boy Thursday morning southeast of Durango.
Authorities initially described the incident as a double homicide in which a boy and a female of unknown age were killed. About 11:30 a.m., La Plata County spokesman Ted Holteen said only the boy was killed.
Officers responded to a report shortly after 7 a.m. from a motorist involved in a single vehicle accident believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled on foot. Deputies discovered the scene of the alleged homicide when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Law enforcement apprehended the suspect, Isaac Lawrence, in the 1200 block of Escalante Drive in south Durango, about 6 miles from the scene of the alleged crime after a manhunt that lasted over an hour. A resident of the Rocket Pointe apartment complex spotted Lawrence about 10:35 a.m and notified authorities.
The stabbing death allegedly occurred in the Southwest Horizon Ranch subdivision on the Florida Mesa about a mile south of Elmore’s Corner, Holteen said.
A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at Mercy Hospital in Durango.
Lawrence was tased by the La Plata County Sheriff’s deputies who apprehended him, Holteen said. He did not have any weapons on him at the time and did not make any statements, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Chris Burke said.
Officers, working with Colorado State Patrol and Durango police, used drones and a helicopter from San Juan County, New Mexico, to search for the suspect.
Holteen stressed Thursday morning that the case and details of what happened remained extremely preliminary.
Residents within a 4-mile radius of Southwest Horizon Ranch had been advised to shelter in place before Lawrence was apprehended. The home from which Lawrence fled is near Florida Mesa Elementary School, and all Durango School District 9-R schools were in “secure status,” meaning classes continue in locked classrooms, from 7:45 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
The 12-year-old victim was a student of Durango Schools, according to a notice sent by 9R to the community.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our students and extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” the email read.
Lawrence was described as “very dangerous.” He was book in the La Plata County jail and is expected to be transferred to a juvenile facility in Grand Junction.
This is a developing story. Check back with www.durangoherald.com for updates.
Deputy Editor Shane Benjamin contributed to this story.
