The man who allegedly shot two Deer Creek Middle School students was ordered held on $1 million bond today by a judge who said he considered the man a threat to the community.
Chief Jefferson County Judge Tom Vance told 32-year-old Bruco Eastwood that he has “substantial concerns” that Eastwood is a risk to the community.
Vance also told Eastwood that he believes, given a review of a Jefferson County Sheriff’s arrest affidavit, that Eastwood will be convicted at trial and receive a lengthy prison sentence.
Prosecutor Miles Madorin asked Vance to hold Eastwood on a $2 million bond citing the shooting Tuesday of two teenagers at Deer Creek Middle School.
Eighth-graders Matthew Thieu and Reagan Weber were injured when gunfire erupted just after 3 p.m. at the school at 9201 W. Columbine Drive.
Reagan was treated at Littleton Adventist Hospital and released a few hours later.
Her right arm was injured by bullet fragments rather than a direct hit, was doing fine, her father said.
“She’s got a big bandage on her arm, but no permanent damage,” Craig Weber said.
Matthew was initially treated at Littleton Adventist Hospital and was transferred to Children’s Hospital, where he is in serious condition today.
His family said today in statement that Matthew is recovering from a fractured rib and a lung injury and is doing well.
“We want to thank the community, our family and friends for their outpouring of support. We appreciate everyone’s concern, but ask that our privacy be respected so that we may devote all of our time and energy toward Matthew’s recovery,” the statement issued by the hospital said. “We appreciate the care he is receiving at the Children’s Hospital, and he is in God’s hands.”
After a man later identified at Eastwood opened fire, a teacher on parking lot duty, David Benke, tackled the gunman. Other teachers quickly ran to his assistance; they held the gunman and disarmed him.
In Golden this morning, the judge ordered that should Eastwood make bond, he is not to use alcohol, not possess firearms, and should be electronically monitored. Eastwood is also to have pre-trial supervision and have no contact with the victims and witnesses of Tuesday’s shooting.
In addition, the judge ordered Eastwood to stay at least 500 yards away from any school in Colorado or in any other states he visits including universities and colleges.
When Eastwood first entered the Jefferson County Jail room where he met public defender Sara Garrido, he walked in briskly and shook hands with Garrido.
Eastwood, who was not handcuffed, then pushed his long, flowing hair into a ponytail.
As Eastwood sat in the Jefferson County Jail, a live TV picture of Eastwood, Garrido and Madorin was televised back to TV monitors in Vance’s courtroom about a hundred yards to the west.
During the hearing, called a first advisement, Eastwood kept his hands folded in front of him. He sometimes looked down, sometimes forward and on occasion conferred with Garrido.
Madorin said that although Eastwood had no felony convictions on his record, Eastwood has numerous arrests.
During the advisement, Eastwood was told he has a right to a lawyer, the right to remain silent and the right to a preliminary hearing.
At no time did Eastwood appear agitated and he frequently consulted with Garrido.
Vance told him he is being held for investigation of two counts of attempted first-degree murder. He was told that he will be brought back to court on March 2 for formal advisement of the charges that have been filed by the district attorney.
Before Eastwood was returned to his cell, prosecutor Madorin asked Vance to specifically instruct Eastwood to stay away from witnesses and victims.
The judge told Eastwood he is not to harass, intimidate, retaliate against, or have any contact with, witnesses or victims. He is not to have contact with anyone under 18 and is to seek mental health treatment.
The judge also ordered the affidavit in the case to remain sealed.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
