Authorities Report Armed Individual Took His Own Life, Averting Potential Attack on Mountain Amusement Park

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On Monday, officials disclosed that a man heavily armed with firearms and explosives took his own life instead of executing what seemed to be a premeditated attack on Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado. His body was found in a restroom near a handwritten message on the wall stating, “I am not a killer.”

The deceased, identified as 20-year-old Diego Barajas Medina, was discovered on Saturday morning by a maintenance team in a women’s restroom of the amusement park before it opened to the public. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire.

Authorities reported that Medina gained entry to the park while it was closed, equipped with an AR-style rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, and explosives. He was also clad in tactical attire and body armor akin to that worn by police SWAT team members.

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario reported that a message reading, “I am not a killer, I just wanted to get into the caves,” was found scrawled on the restroom wall where Medina’s body was discovered. Beside him were a semi-automatic pistol and various explosive devices, some authentic and others imitation. An AR-style rifle along with a duty belt containing multiple ammunition magazines was placed on a nearby counter.

Although Sheriff Vallario could not definitively state that the message was written by Medina, he did report that there were no prior signs from Medina’s home or educational background to suggest he was planning an assault. Further investigation is underway, with the FBI assisting in reviewing Medina’s phone records and social media activity.

“Given the extent of the preparations and the array of armaments, it seems highly probable that Medina intended to utilize them against the public, yet he opted not to,” Vallario added.

Authorities also discovered multiple homemade explosive devices in the vehicle Medina used. While the park premises were scoured for additional explosives, none were found.

The amusement park is situated in a remote location and is normally accessed by gondola. Vallario noted that given the park’s popularity during the autumn hunting season, it would likely have been crowded, making it challenging to transport any potential victims to medical facilities.

Medina resided in the neighboring town of Carbondale with his mother and brother. According to a local newspaper list of high school graduates from 2021, Medina intended to work for a year before enrolling in Colorado Mountain College.

A search of his residence revealed no materials related to explosives or bomb-making, and Medina had no known criminal record or prior interactions with law enforcement. The firearms found on Medina were untraceable ghost guns, and his attire featured patches that gave the impression of affiliation with law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Vallario clarified that some of the suspected explosives were duds, designed to resemble hand grenades, while others were genuine. However, there was no evidence to suggest that additional explosives were placed in other areas of the park.

It is believed that Medina accessed the park using a service road. The park, surrounded by state-owned public land, offers attractions like cave tours and alpine rides.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park issued a statement on Monday confirming that no staff or visitors were present when Medina entered. “This tragic and sorrowful incident serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of our Glenwood Springs community,” said Glenwood Caverns General Manager Nancy Heard.

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For immediate assistance regarding suicidal thoughts or crisis situations, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available via phone or text at 988, or through online chat at 988Lifeline.org.

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This article has been updated to correct the phrasing of the handwritten message from “want” to “wanted,” and to clarify that Medina’s post-graduation plans were listed in a local newspaper, not a yearbook.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Potential Amusement Park Attack

More about Potential Amusement Park Attack

• Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Official Statement
• Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
• FBI’s Involvement in Criminal Investigations
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Colorado Mountain College Information
• Tactical Clothing and Equipment: What Law Enforcement Uses
• What Are Ghost Guns?
• Understanding Homemade Explosive Devices