Cops Say Man Killed Himself Instead of Carrying Out Plot

Colorado man found dead at amusement park was heavily armed, had multiple IEDs, sheriff's office says
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 30, 2023 5:05 PM CDT
Updated Oct 31, 2023 7:00 PM CDT
Body of Heavily Armed Man Found at Colorado Theme Park
The Haunted Mine Drop is shown in this July 2017 file photo at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.   (Chelsea Self/Glenwood Springs Post Independent via AP, File)
UPDATE Oct 31, 2023 7:00 PM CDT

A heavily armed man killed himself rather than carry out an apparent plan to shoot up a mountaintop amusement park in Colorado, with his body discovered in a bathroom next to the words scrawled on the wall, "I am not a killer, I just wanted to get into the caves," authorities say. Diego Barajas Medina, 20, was found dead in a women's bathroom at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park by a maintenance crew on Saturday morning, before the park opened to the public, the AP reports. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire said. Medina lived with his mother and brother in the nearby town of Carbondale. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said there were no prior indications, either at home or school, suggesting he was planning an attack.

Oct 30, 2023 5:05 PM CDT

Authorities in Colorado are investigating a mysterious death at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The body of a 20-year-old man was found at the park Saturday morning after what authorities described as a suspected suicide, but the sheriff's office disclosed Monday that the man was carrying enough weapons and explosives to kill many more people, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports. The man was "dressed in black colored tactical clothing, bearing patches and emblems that gave the appearance of being associated with law enforcement," the Garfield County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.

"The suspect had been heavily armed with a semi-automatic rifle and semi-automatic handgun and multiple, loaded magazines for both weapons," the sheriff's office said. It said the man, a resident of nearby Carbondale, "was wearing body armor and what appeared to be a ballistic helmet. Additionally multiple improvised explosive devices, (IEDs), were discovered with the suspect and in a vehicle associated with the suspect." The sheriff's office said the park, which is around 160 miles west of Denver, remained closed over the weekend while the bomb squad disarmed the explosive devices and searched rides and other areas to make sure no other devices had been planted, the Denver Post reports.

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"While this investigation is still ongoing and very active it is important to realize that given the amount of weaponry, ammunition, and explosive devices found, the suspect could have implemented an attack of devastating proportions upon our community and first responders," the sheriff's office said. Investigators believe the man broke into the park while it was closed. His body was found before the park was due to open Saturday. Authorities have not released details on how he died. The park, on a mountain above the Colorado River, features attractions including cave tours and an alpine coaster, the AP reports. (More Colorado stories.)

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