Sheriff: Gun range shootings were suicide attempts

AURORA | The Australian twin sisters shot Monday at a local shooting range shot themselves as part of a suicide pact, the surviving sister told investigators Thursday. 

According to a statement from the Arapahoe County sheriff’s office, investigators were finally able to interview the surviving sister Thursday, three days after she shot herself along with her sister at the Family Shooting Center at Cherry Creek State Park. 

The sister, who sustained a head wound that required surgery, told investigators she and her sister planned to commit suicide together. 

Names of the women haven’t been released. 

An official at the Arapahoe County coroner’s office said investigators there are still trying to determine which twin sister is which. 

Click below for the release from the sheriff's office.

M E D I A  R E L E A S E 

Cherry Creek State Park Shooting Investigation Update 

On November 15, 2010, at about 2:50 p.m., Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 

the shooting center within Cherry Creek State Park on the report of a multiple shooting.  Further 

investigation into this matter revealed that 29 year old twin sisters were involved in a shooting incident. 

One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the second victim was transported to an area hospital 

for treatment.  The women had been staying in the Denver area for approximately five weeks prior to 

the shootings. 

Members of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Service Area have now met with the 

surviving sister, who has confirmed that they had planned to commit suicide together, and did in fact 

shoot themselves.  Based on the physical evidence collected, the surviving sister’s statements, and 

video surveillance footage from the shooting center (which will not be released) the Arapahoe County 

Sheriff’s Office believes that this incident was indeed a suicide and attempted suicide.   

Over 34,000 people in the United States succeed in taking their own life every year.  There are many 

agencies that work tirelessly at preventing suicide and understanding the devastation it causes.  If you, 

or someone you know, is contemplating suicide, or if you have had a loved one or friend commit suicide 

there is help.  Two Suicide Hotline numbers you can call are 1-800 273-TALK (8255) and 1-800- 

SUICIDE (784-2423); or in an immediate emergency situation contact 9-1-1.  The following 

organizations are very helpful in providing suicide prevention and survivors information:  American 

Association of Suicidology, www.suicidology.org; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 

www.afsp.org; Survivors of Suicide, www.survivorsofsuicide.com; Livingworks, www.livingworks.net; 

and the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network, www.spanusa.org. 

For further information contact Captain Louie Perea 303-435-6881.