Devon Erickson, the STEM school shooting

Devon Erickson has become a viral character in recent weeksdue to the hundreds of videos and publications on different social networks, especially on the Tik Tok social network.

The reason was his appearance, awaiting trial, in court with a shy attitude and a striking appearance due to a half-length of hair with a pink colored half that covered his face.

Many of these publications called for his release, while others were completely against it. But, What did Devon Erickson do to cause such a stir? At this time, his case is current… and in the coming months we will know the sentence.

Childhood and adolescence of Devon Erickson

Devon Erickson was born on September 21, 2000. Everything was headed towards a promising future in music, but also as a youth actor in local theater productions, in fact, reviews of some of his performances came to be described as excellent. Nothing about his childhood is remarkable, and he had no background of any kind.

It was a boy very active on social networks, where he expressed his opinions freely. Furthermore, on a YouTube channel, He posted videos of himself playing the guitar.

Subsequently, as a result of what happened, many of the performances he carried out transcended and in which one can see his passion for the performing arts.

The STEM school shooting

Twenty years after the Columbine massacre, in Colorado (United States), a new shooting took place in another suburb of Denver. On May 7, 2019, Devon, along with his accomplice Alec Mckinneyattended STEM school in Highlands Ranch (Colorado), with a clear intention: kill.

That day, they entered a classroom through different doors, so they could prevent someone from escaping. They had weapons hidden in a guitar bag.

As a result of the attack, a Hispanic student, Kendrick Castillo, died and eight other students were injured. The companions who were present disregarded Kendrick’s bravery, as he tried to stop Devon with his body, placing himself between the potential victims and the bullets, to try to save them.

Investigators suspect Devon used guns owned by his parents, since both Devon himself and Alec were not of legal age at that time to be able to buy weapons in Colorado. The truth is that local television later reported that the parents had purchased weapons legally.

The shadow of possible bullying

By then, Devon had already expressed his sexual inclinations (homosexuality). On the other hand, Alec Mckinney, who at the time of the events was identified as Maya, was in the process of changing his gender.

All this caused rejection as well as bullying attitudes from his colleagues.. Many of his colleagues, as well as the media, focused their attention on this aspect, which could have been the trigger that led to the shooting.

Alec Mckinney sentenced

Alec Mckinney was the first to be tried in July 2020. Pleaded guilty to participating in the shooting after having reached an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office.

Alec Mckinney was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. on bail after serving 40 years in prison. In a 15-minute speech, and between sobs, he stated: “I never expected to be forgiven.”

Despite his age at the time of the events, he was 16 years old, Alec was prosecuted as an adult. Despite the above, due to his age, Mckinney was not going to face the death penalty (Colorado became the 22nd state to abolish it that same year).

With Devon everything could be different, since the shooting occurred before that law was passed, and at that time he was 19 years old.

Awaiting Devon Erickson’s sentencing

Devon made his first appearance in court just a few weeks ago to be informed of the charges against him following the events that occurred. He did so with his head lowered and with a striking half-length of hair (one half pink) that hid his face. He pleaded not guilty to the same charges Alec had already faced.

It was these images that made him so popular on social networksand not a few people who thought that he should be released for being “handsome”. But given the growing fame he has had today, there are also many outraged people, who consider that his only victim, Kendrick Castillo, is the one who should be praised.

Devon’s defense alleged that Alec was the real inducement, who also pressured him to participate in the shooting.

Devon is currently awaiting trial and sentencing. Due to restrictions due to the global pandemic, the trial will take place in the coming months, possibly in May 2021.

You might be interested…