A heavily armed man was found dead Saturday morning at a Colorado amusement park before it was set to open to the public, authorities said.
In an updated press release Monday, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said it responded to a report of a deceased 22-year-old man at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, adding that, based on the investigation, the man entered the park after hours when there is no employees.
The statement did not mention how the suspect, who has not yet been identified, died. However, in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Monday, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park said the Garfield County Coroner was present and “they are investigating the death as a suicide.”
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“He was wearing black tactical clothing with insignia and insignia that gave the impression that he was affiliated with the police,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
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“The suspect was heavily armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a semi-automatic handgun with multiple loaded magazines for both weapons,” the statement continued. “He was wearing body armor and what looked like a ballistic helmet.”
Authorities also added that a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found on the suspect and in a van associated with the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office said the Grand Junction Bomb Squad arrived at the scene and was able to make the devices safe.
Bomb squad members also searched the park for any IEDs that may have been planted in the rooms and rides, authorities said. “Our investigation so far has determined that no one in the public was in danger,” the sheriff’s office continued in a statement. “It appears that the suspect’s actions were limited to the Glenwood Caverns property.”
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The statement said authorities also searched the residence of the suspect, who is originally from the Carbondale area, as part of their initial two-day investigation to ensure public safety and “to determine the extent of his criminal activity.”
“While this investigation is still ongoing and very active,” the sheriff’s office said, “it is important to understand that given the amount of weapons, ammunition and explosive devices that were found, the suspect was able to carry out an attack of a devastating scale on our community and first responders.”
“This very sad and tragic incident reminds us how much our Glenwood Springs community means to us,” Nancy Heard, the theme park’s general manager, said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “We appreciate the quick action and thorough work of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office, as well as the Garfield County Emergency Response Team and other agencies assisting in the investigation, working together to ensure the park is safe to reopen. Thank you for everything what are you doing.”
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The park also outlined its security measures in a statement.
“Numerous security programs have been implemented, including an extensive network of security cameras, alarms, fences, gates and posted signs,” the park said in a statement. “Lockdown protocols provide protection for engineering, ride and ride-restricted areas, as well as sensitive buildings. The October 28 incident did not occur in any of these areas and was not associated with any rides or attractions.”
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