Man found dead in van linked to East High shooting identified

Pueblo Police say a van they were looking for in connection to a shooting was pulled over on I-25 in southern El Paso County.

State troopers pulled the van over near mile marker 123. The man was dead by the time troopers reached the van. Police say he appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office identified the man Thursday as Julian Hernandez, 25. Pueblo Police believe he is the man who shot and injured a staff member at East.

Police say the shooter yelled the victim’s name before opening fire at around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Pueblo police had three more officers at East High School on Thursday to beef up security at the school.

“Well it’s a mission of the police department to reduce fear in the city and by having officers at the school, we like to think there is a sense of safety and security,” Sgt. Eric Gonzales said.

The motive for the shooting is under investigation.