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Who was Sol Pais? What we know about woman found dead after alleged threats to area schools

Posted at 3:25 AM, Apr 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-18 01:01:19-04

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. -- An 18-year-old Florida woman “infatuated" with the Columbine school shooting traveled to Colorado by plane Monday, purchased a shotgun and ammunition in Littleton and disappeared into the foothills of Jefferson County.

Authorities said Wednesday morning they had found Sol Pais dead near the base of Mount Evans, west of Denver. Pais had been wanted for questioning after making undisclosed threats to area schools that prompted many of them to lock their door for several hours Tuesday. At least 140 Denver-area districts canceled classes Wednesday while Pais was still at-large.

Previous Coverage:
FBI, authorities search for 'armed and dangerous' teen after 'credible threat' to schools
Lockout vs. lockdown: Knowing the difference after threat to Denver-area schools
Denver-area districts close schools Wednesday amid 'credible threat'

Here is what we know so far about Pais:

· She is from Surfside, Florida in the Miami area and had flown into Denver International Airport Monday.

· Once in Colorado, authorities said she legally purchased a pump-action shotgun and ammunition from a retailer in Littleton.

· An unidentified FBI agent answered her parent’s phone in Florida when Denver7 called a phone number listed for Pais' parents in Florida.

· The ABC station in Miami reported a man who identified as Pais’ father told the Miami news crew that he last saw his daughter Sunday and said the situation has “been a nightmare.”

· Authorities say she is "infatuated" with the Columbine High School shooting and made undisclosed threats to area schools.

· A "BOLO" sent out by Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force says “NO PC TO ARREST" meaning authorities at the time the BOLO was created did not have enough probable cause to arrest her. The sheet also says, "If contacted detain and evaluate mental health status then contact Det. Gilbert immediately."

· She is described as 5-foot-5 inches tall, with brown hair.

· Her body was found near the base of Mount Evans Wednesday morning. Authorities say they believe she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

· There was a heavy police presence at Pais’ Surfside home Wednesday. At one point an officer was seen taking something in a bag from inside the home.

· Neighbors said they were shocked that Pais, whom they described as quiet and a bit of a loner, could make such threats. “I am in shock,” said neighbor Luis Hernandez. “I really have very few things to say about it. I am in shock that things like this would happen around here that we don’t know about.”

· Surfside police credit Pais’ parents with possibly saving lives in Colorado after they contacted authorities when their daughter went missing. “They provided us valuable information that led us to Colorado and a lot of things that assisted in preventing maybe more loss of life,” Police Chief Julio Yero said Wednesday. He called her probable suicide “a tragedy in and of itself.”

· Fellow Miami Beach High School classmates say they didn’t suspect anything suspicious about Pais. “We all know this girl. Like we’ve all seen her before, and to think that she’s responsible for, or even capable of, making threats or putting other students in danger is crazy and everyone’s freaking out,” said classmate Julian Enriquez told Denver7.

· “She just kind of dressed like a Lone Knight character – like more gothy – and was, like, more quiet and to herself,” said classmate Alan Charni.

· Authorities said Wednesday they are continuing to look into Pais’ communication, personal connections and social media usage from the past year to investigate whether she had any other accomplices. The FBI did not directly address a website linked to Pais in which she posted a series of disorganized rants that talk mostly about her hopelessness and loneliness.