GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — A 20-year-old man found dead in a bathroom at an amusement park in Glenwood Springs on Saturday was armed with multiple guns, loaded magazines and explosive devices. Words on written on a bathroom stall where he was found said, "I am not a killer," according to authorities.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office responded Saturday morning to a report of a deceased man at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Based upon a preliminary investigation, it appeared he illegally entered the park after hours.
At a news conference Monday, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said the man was found in a women's bathroom, near a stall. The man's motive was unclear, but Vallario said there was writing in a bathroom stall that said, "I'm not a killer. I just wanted to get into the caves." The sheriff could not confirm whether the man wrote that.
The Garfield County Coroner's Office identified the man as Diego Barajas Medina and said he died of a gunshot wound. The coroner's office said it was investigating his death as a suicide.
Earlier Monday, the sheriff’s office said that the man, from the Carbondale area, was dressed in black-colored tactical clothing, bearing patches and emblems that gave the appearance of being associated with law enforcement. He was heavily armed with a semi-automatic rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, multiple loaded magazines for both weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He was wearing body armor and what appeared to be a ballistic helmet.
Vallario said the man had pipe bombs and that his firearms were ghost guns. He said the man had a combination of real and fake weapons.
"While this investigation is still ongoing and very active it is important to realize that given the amount of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices found, the suspect could have implemented an attack of devastating proportions upon the community and first responders," the Garfield County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
It wasn't clear how he entered the park. Typically, a gondola is used to get to the park, but the sheriff said the man drove up the service road.
The man lived with his mom and brother. Vallario said authorities made contact with the family to be able to search his room. He said they couldn't find any history of a criminal record and that the man was "completely under the radar."
The park was given an all clear by authorities and it appears that the park is now open to the public, Vallario said.
The Grand Junction Bomb Squad and Garfield County All Hazard Response Team (AHRT) swept the Glenwood Adventure Caverns property Saturday and Sunday to ensure no IED’s had been planted around the park or rides.
The sheriff's office said the investigation so far indicates that nobody in the public was at risk, and it would appear that the man's actions were limited to the property of the Glenwood Caverns.
"The initial two days of the investigation have been carried out in a slow, methodical manner in order to search the property, as well as the suspect’s residence to ensure the safety of the public and to begin to determine the extent of his criminal activity," according to a sheriff's office news release. "The safety of the public, bomb disposal personnel, law enforcement and other first responders was the priority as well as making sure the Caverns were safe to reopen."
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park released a statement saying the man was found dead during the park’s pre-opening maintenance and security inspections. Emergency Medical Services was contacted, and local authorities responded.
Glenwood Caverns said multiple security programs are in place to keep guests safe, including an extensive network of security cameras, alarms, fencing, gates and posted signage. Lockout protocols provide protection for engineering, ride operation and ride restricted areas, as well as sensitive buildings.
“This very sad and tragic incident reminds us how much our Glenwood Springs community means to us,” said general manager Nancy Heard. “We appreciate the swift action and thorough work of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office, as well as the Garfield County All Hazard Response Team and other authorities assisting in the investigation, working together to ensure the park is safe to reopen. Thank you for all you do.”
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