In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old man, heavily armed and clad in body armor, was found dead at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado. The park, nestled on a mountain above the Colorado River, is a popular destination for thrill-seekers, offering attractions such as cave tours, an alpine coaster, and a pendulum swing ride.
The man, identified as Diego Barajas Medina from Carbondale, entered the park when it was closed to the public. He was discovered by a maintenance crew in a women’s bathroom before the park opened. Medina was armed with an AR-style rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, and explosives. His attire resembled that of a police SWAT team member, complete with body armor and tactical clothing.
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Garfield County Sheriff's Office says 22-year old man found dead over the weekend inside Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was "heavily armed" "wearing body armor" and had "multiple improvised explosive devices"
Press release below
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A chilling message was found written on the bathroom wall where Medina’s body was discovered. It read, “I am not a killer, I just want to get into the caves.” This cryptic message has left many puzzled about his intentions. However, given the amount of weaponry and explosives he had, authorities believe he intended to use them against the community but chose not to.
Further investigation revealed multiple improvised explosive devices in Medina’s vehicle. Despite the park’s remote location, 160 miles east of Denver, authorities conducted a thorough search for other explosives but found none. The park, usually bustling with visitors during the fall hunting season, was thankfully empty at the time of the incident.
A heavily armed man who appeared to be planning to shoot up a mountain top amusement park at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado, killed himself before carrying out his plan, according to authorities.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said park officials found the… pic.twitter.com/BvqmcJCzE0
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Medina, who lived with his mother and brother in the nearby town of Carbondale, had no known criminal history or prior encounters with law enforcement. A search of his room yielded no evidence of explosives. The weapons found on him were ghost guns, untraceable due to their lack of serial numbers.
Adding to the mystery, Medina’s clothing bore patches and emblems that suggested an association with law enforcement.
Some of the suspected explosives turned out to be fakes, including several that looked like hand grenades, but others were real. However, there was no evidence to suggest that explosive devices had been placed elsewhere inside the park.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats that can lurk in our communities. It underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness in ensuring public safety. The investigation into Medina’s motives and actions is ongoing, with the FBI assisting in reviewing his phone records and social media postings.
