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US school gunman 'abused' girls US school gunman 'abused' girls
(about 2 hours later)
The gunman in a Colorado high school siege which left one girl dead along with the attacker sexually abused some of his hostages, police say.The gunman in a Colorado high school siege which left one girl dead along with the attacker sexually abused some of his hostages, police say.
Naming the attacker as Denver area man Duane R Morrison, 53, Sheriff Fred Wegener said he did not seem to have links to the school in Bailey.Naming the attacker as Denver area man Duane R Morrison, 53, Sheriff Fred Wegener said he did not seem to have links to the school in Bailey.
"He did traumatise and assault our children - I'll only say that it's sexual in nature," the sheriff said."He did traumatise and assault our children - I'll only say that it's sexual in nature," the sheriff said.
The victim at Platte Canyon High School was named as Emily Keyes, 16.The victim at Platte Canyon High School was named as Emily Keyes, 16.
Officers stormed the school after more than three hours, at which point the lone gunman reportedly shot one of his two hostages and then himself.Officers stormed the school after more than three hours, at which point the lone gunman reportedly shot one of his two hostages and then himself.
You could tell that he wanted the females Cassidy Grigg student witness Siege eyewitnesses
A revolver and a semi-automatic pistol were found on his body, Sheriff Wegener said.A revolver and a semi-automatic pistol were found on his body, Sheriff Wegener said.
The attacker, who appeared in a classroom just before noon (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, initially took six hostages, all of them girls, but gradually released four of them as he talked to police negotiators. Everyone was freaking out Marina EscobedoEyewitness href="/1/hi/world/americas/5390172.stm" class="">He looked really mad The attacker, who appeared in a classroom just before noon (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, initially took six hostages, all of them girls, but gradually released four of them as he talked to police negotiators.
Other students and staff at Platte Canyon and a neighbouring middle school, which have nearly 800 pupils between them, were evacuated during the siege.Other students and staff at Platte Canyon and a neighbouring middle school, which have nearly 800 pupils between them, were evacuated during the siege.
The town of Bailey is only a short drive from Columbine High School, where seven years ago two students killed 13 people before taking their own lives.The town of Bailey is only a short drive from Columbine High School, where seven years ago two students killed 13 people before taking their own lives.
'He shot her''He shot her'
The dead gunman had been living in his car, Sheriff Wegener said.The dead gunman had been living in his car, Sheriff Wegener said.
Pupils were evacuated in a long column to school busesPupils were evacuated in a long column to school buses
State records show he had criminal convictions for theft and marijuana possession dating back to 1973 and in July he was arrested for obstructing police in west Denver.State records show he had criminal convictions for theft and marijuana possession dating back to 1973 and in July he was arrested for obstructing police in west Denver.
Holed up in a second-floor classroom with his hostages, he had reportedly told the police he had a bomb in his backpack.Holed up in a second-floor classroom with his hostages, he had reportedly told the police he had a bomb in his backpack.
Sheriff Wegener said Morrison had made few demands. "Most of the demands were, 'Leave me alone, get out of here'," he added.Sheriff Wegener said Morrison had made few demands. "Most of the demands were, 'Leave me alone, get out of here'," he added.
When negotiations appeared to be breaking down, a specially trained police Swat team threw a stun grenade and stormed the building.When negotiations appeared to be breaking down, a specially trained police Swat team threw a stun grenade and stormed the building.
Morrison apparently turned his gun on himself after firing at police and fatally wounding Emily Keyes.Morrison apparently turned his gun on himself after firing at police and fatally wounding Emily Keyes.
"We firmly believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that the suspect was responsible for the death of the child," said Joe Morales, executive director for the Colorado department of public safety."We firmly believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that the suspect was responsible for the death of the child," said Joe Morales, executive director for the Colorado department of public safety.
'Creepy' man'Creepy' man
Students at the school said they did not recognise the gunman who appeared to be dressed like a student.Students at the school said they did not recognise the gunman who appeared to be dressed like a student.
Jessica Montgomery, 15, told AP she had seen the gunman in a second-floor hallway shortly before noon.Jessica Montgomery, 15, told AP she had seen the gunman in a second-floor hallway shortly before noon.
She described him as "creepy", saying he had acne and stubble on his face.She described him as "creepy", saying he had acne and stubble on his face.
Cassidy Grigg, 16, told US media that Morrison had walked into a classroom and fired a warning shot before ordering students to line up. Another student at the high school, Cassidy Grigg, went on US television channels NBC and ABC to give an account of how the gunman had chosen his hostages and threatened him personally.
"You could tell that he wanted the females," he said, added he had been forced to leave at gunpoint. However, the boy's mother, Larina Grigg, later announced that her son had lied, Colorado newspaper The Rocky Mountain News reports.
Cassidy also recalled victim Emily Keyes. "She was always sweet," he told NBC. "She was just friendly. She was just a good person in general." "Cassidy has never been dishonest in his life but in this matter he wasn't truthful," she said on Thursday afternoon.
"He was not in the room with the kids. He wants to say he's sorry. I know and he knows he made a huge mistake."