Security footage obtained by Crisis in the Classroom (CITC) Thursday shows the moment a registered sex offender allegedly tried to kidnap a child from a Colorado elementary school last month. 33-year-old Solomon Galligan was April 19 after walking up to multiple students outside at Black Forest Hills Elementary School. Galligan, a registered sex offender, is accused of attempting to grab a young boy before fleeing school grounds.
Staff members were alerted to the confrontation once some students began yelling "stranger danger," according to the Cherry Creek School District. Galligan was later caught by police and charged with one count of attempted kidnapping.
In the security footage , Galligan is seen entering Black Forest Hills grounds at 1:01 p.m. on April 19. Within one minute, a group of small children can be seen sprinting away from Galligan as he chases them while seemingly holding a white blanket. The footage shows Galligan eventually lunging at one child before falling to the ground. He then stands back up and walks after the students for a few more seconds before turning to leave the grounds. A staff member is seen walking in Galligan's direction approximately 20 seconds later. The release of the video comes after parents created a petition a "comprehensive review" of the incident, as well as of all employees involved. Signees of the petition, which has received more than 300 signatures, also requested Cherry Creek initiate immediate and recurring audits of the district's security measures, with the results being shared with the community. Cherry Creek has acknowledged the "one clear misstep" it made during the incident was failing to place Black Forest Hills in a "secure status," which requires all students be brought inside while security investigates a matter. Black Forest Hills principal Amanda Replogle told families in a letter last week she understands the incident "has been a traumatic experience" and she takes "the rebuilding of trust" seriously. "This will show up in changes and consistent action from me and my dedicated staff," Replogle wrote. Have something for the Crisis in the Classroom team to investigate? Call or text the national tip line at 202-417-7273.
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Staff members were alerted to the confrontation once some students began yelling "stranger danger," according to the Cherry Creek School District. Galligan was later caught by police and charged with one count of attempted kidnapping.
In the security footage , Galligan is seen entering Black Forest Hills grounds at 1:01 p.m. on April 19. Within one minute, a group of small children can be seen sprinting away from Galligan as he chases them while seemingly holding a white blanket. The footage shows Galligan eventually lunging at one child before falling to the ground. He then stands back up and walks after the students for a few more seconds before turning to leave the grounds. A staff member is seen walking in Galligan's direction approximately 20 seconds later. The release of the video comes after parents created a petition a "comprehensive review" of the incident, as well as of all employees involved. Signees of the petition, which has received more than 300 signatures, also requested Cherry Creek initiate immediate and recurring audits of the district's security measures, with the results being shared with the community. Cherry Creek has acknowledged the "one clear misstep" it made during the incident was failing to place Black Forest Hills in a "secure status," which requires all students be brought inside while security investigates a matter. Black Forest Hills principal Amanda Replogle told families in a letter last week she understands the incident "has been a traumatic experience" and she takes "the rebuilding of trust" seriously. "This will show up in changes and consistent action from me and my dedicated staff," Replogle wrote. Have something for the Crisis in the Classroom team to investigate? Call or text the national tip line at 202-417-7273.
