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. But later, La Plata County spokesman Ted Holteen said only the boy was killed.
Holteen stressed Thursday morning that the case and details of what happened remained extremely preliminary.
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, Issac 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, suffered injuries from a blunt object attack and was being treated at Mercy Hospital in Durango.
Lawrence was tased by 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.
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 9-R 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.
The district announced it would postpone the grand opening of Miller Middle School, previously scheduled for Friday, to a later date.
“In order to allow our community time to grieve and receive support, we decided a celebratory event was not appropriate,” district spokeswoman Karla Sluis said in an email. “Crisis teams and counselors are available to our staff and students, and we encourage everyone to seek support if they need it in this difficult time.”
In a text message sent to residents Thursday morning, law enforcement described Lawrence as “very dangerous.” He was booked in the La Plata County jail and was expected to be transferred to a juvenile facility in Grand Junction.
Deputy Editor Shane Benjamin contributed to this story.
An earlier version of this story misspelled Issac Lawrence’s first name. Incorrect information was given to the Herald.
This story has been updated to reflect that the grand opening of Miller Middle School was scheduled for Friday but has been postponed to an undetermined later date.
