Armed Man Found Dead at Colorado Theme Park, Brother Claims He Was Reclusive but Not Dangerous

https://icaro.icaromediagroup.com/system/images/photos/15854403/original/open-uri20231101-55-1hd6777?1698878088
ICARO Media Group
Politics
01/11/2023 22h32

In a shocking turn of events, an armed man was discovered dead at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado. The man, identified as Diego Barajas Medina, 20, took his own life rather than potentially carry out a mass shooting at the amusement park. However, according to his older brother, David Barajas Medina, Diego was a reclusive individual who was heavily obsessed with the video game "Call of Duty" but did not pose a threat to others.

Diego's body was found in a women's bathroom at the park, with a cryptic message scrawled on the wall stating, "I am not a killer, I just wanted to get into the caves." The cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, as confirmed by Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire.

David expressed his belief that Diego did not intend to harm anyone, stating, "I didn't think he was a dangerous person. I'm not sure what he was setting out to do." The two brothers and their mother lived together in a two-bedroom apartment in Carbondale, Colorado, and David described Diego as a quiet person who spent his nights playing video games.

Diego resorted to reselling items on Amazon to make ends meet; however, he was struggling to keep up with his share of the rent, according to his brother. He would stay up every night playing "Call of Duty," often going to bed at 6 a.m. Despite his unconventional lifestyle, David believed Diego seemed normal.

When the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that Diego had entered the amusement park while it was closed, armed with an AR-style rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, and both real and fake explosives. He was also clad in body armor and dark-colored tactical clothing resembling that worn by law enforcement officers. His brother mentioned that Diego had a fascination with becoming a police officer and possessed multiple guns and a tactical vest.

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario stated that there were no prior red flags indicating Diego had plans for an attack. However, given the amount of weaponry and preparation found, it seemed highly likely that he intended to use them against the community. Sheriff Vallario added that Diego's weapons were ghost guns, lacking serial numbers that could trace their history.

The vehicle used by Diego contained multiple improvised explosive devices, some of which turned out to be fake. It was also noted that his clothing had patches and emblems resembling those worn by law enforcement officers. A search of his room yielded no evidence of explosives or bomb-making materials, and there was no known criminal history or previous encounters with the police.

The investigation has now expanded, with the FBI assisting in examining Diego's cell phone records and social media posts for further insights. Authorities are working diligently to piece together the motives and intentions behind this tragic incident.

As the community mourns the loss of a young man, questions arise about the factors that pushed Diego Barajas Medina to such a desperate act. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support systems in identifying and assisting individuals who may be struggling with their emotions.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

Related