Surfside Teen Sol Pais, Accused Of Making Threatening Statements About Colorado Schools, Is Dead
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The massive search for Sol Pais, the Surfside teen who reportedly made threatening comments about schools in the Denver area, is over.
Late Wednesday morning authorities said Pais is dead. They said she died a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Littleton area.
Surfside's police chief is crediting the family of Sol Pais with giving detectives invaluable information that led them to Colorado.
That's where a woman matching her description was seen running naked with a gun through a wooded area in a national forest not far from Denver.
She'd reportedly made threats to commit an act of violence in the Colorado area.
"I am sad that I have to report that miss Sol Pais took her life and was found by Colorado authorities," said Surfside Police Chief Julio Yero.
Two days after Surfside police received a report that 18-year-old Pais went missing from her family's home, her body was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the foothills west of Denver.
"First, I would like to express the family's grief in the situation and they are grateful no one else was hurt," Yero said.
REPORT FROM DENVER COLORADO:
Pais's father had hoped this would not turn tragic.
"Please come home. I think that she's going to be OK," her dad said.
In the morning, investigators were seen entering the family home and carrying out a large brown bag.
Hours later, we learned the sad news.
Colorado police believe Pais had taken an Uber to the Echo Lake area near the base of Mount Evans.
"The FBI just confirmed that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound," said Jeff Shrader, Jefferson County Sheriff.
More than two dozen Colorado schools were locked down after Pais reportedly made threats just days before the 20th anniversary of the Columbine massacre that claimed the lives of 12 students and a teacher, which they say Pais was infatuated with.
"Information came in to the FBI that there was concern about a credible threat," Shrader said.
Pais had been considered armed and dangerous after buying a pump action shotgun and ammunition after flying there from Miami.
"We are relieved that there is no longer a threat to our schools and we need to express our gratitude," said Jason Glass, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent.
"I want to express my gratitude to FBI agents who joined us in this investigation and the Colorado authorities. Their collaboration prevented a tragedy in this situation," Yero said.
"This family contributed greatly to this investigation from the very outset. They provided us with invaluable information that led us to Colorado and a lot of things that prevented more loss of life."
Now, Colorado authorities are stepping up their focus on keeping youngsters safe in school.
"Our goal now is to focus on both curbing the crimes and the fear of crimes," said Shrader.
Sources tell CBS4 that when Miami Beach police were notified that Pais was a student at Miami Beach High School, they began digging into her background and discovered deeply disturbing posts on her social media accounts.
