Authorities have identified the younger of two suspects in Tuesday’s deadly shooting at a STEM school near Denver, Colorado.
According to the New York Post, the suspected shooter is a 16-year-old transgender male who goes by the name Alec rather than the birth name of Maya McKinney.
The teen appeared in court on Wednesday alongside attorneys, who requested their client be referred to with masculine pronouns. His mother was also beside him as he answered the judge’s questions during a preliminary hearing.
An older suspect, 18-year-old Devon Erickson, is expected to face 30 criminal counts — 29 for attempted first-degree murder and one for first-degree murder.
One student, 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo, died in the attack, reportedly as he rushed one of the shooters. His selfless act, along with the quick thinking of survivors like Brendan Bialy, likely prevented additional fatalities, witnesses say.
It was unclear as of the initial court appearance whether McKinney would face similar charges as an adult. State law allows prosecutors to try a 16-year-old as an adult without judicial oversight, but District Attorney George Brauchler had not determined whether to seek such charges in this case.
Both suspects are set to appear in court again on Friday.
[Featured image: Alec McKinney, Instagram]
