April 20 will mark the 20th anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Twelve students and one teacher were brutally murdered by two students, an event that would mark the start of a troubling, deadly trend in America.
Colorado schools are closed today because of Sol Pais, an 18-year-old Florida woman who is reportedly obsessed with the Columbine killers, flew from Miami to Denver, and, the FBI says, immediately went to a firearms store to buy guns. She is reported to have made threats against schools in the Denver area. From NBC affiliate 9 News in Denver:
Law enforcement in Denver were first alerted to Pais on Tuesday morning from the FBI office in Miami. The Denver FBI office then started assessing the threat and determined it was credible.
“She departed the airport and went to a store, where she did procure a weapon,” Phillips said. “She obtained a pump-action shotgun and ammunition. She was then taken to an area where she was last seen out towards the foothills and we’ve been trying to find her ever since."
Police have released photos of Sol Pais, along with a description of what she was wearing when she disappeared. Law enforcement are asking the public to send tips to the FBI tipline at 303-630-6227 or email at denverfbitips@fbi.gov. They also warn the public not to approach her.
Pais was last seen in the foothills of Jefferson County and was wearing a black T-shirt, camouflage pants and black boots, law enforcement said. Police have been instructed to detain Pais and evaluate her mental health status if they contact her.