Students from STEM School Highlands Ranch on Wednesday walked out of a vigil marking a school shooting that killed one teen the previous day, blasting politicians and the media after a senator and congressman spoke about gun control to a group of about 2,000 people.
Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Jason Crow, both Democrats, talked about the need for gun control before the vigil started to break apart.
WATCH: Students walk out of vigils honouring Colorado school shooting victims, says grief being politicized
Hundreds of students walked out to the parking lot and started yelling expletives at the media.
They also started chanting “mental health,” the Denver Post reported.
Students later returned to the gym and spoke at a microphone before the event concluded at 9 p.m.
“They don’t get what we went through yesterday, they don’t get what it’s like to have to run for your life,” said one student captured in a video tweeted by Colorado Public Radio education reporter Jenny Brundin.
“They don’t get what it’s like to have people yelling at you, saying ‘school shooter, run for your life.’ You do not get what it’s like to look a teacher straight in the eye and say, ‘run, run for your life.'”
The vigil had been organized by students linked to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
READ MORE: 1 student dead in shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch; adult suspect identified by police
Kendrick Castillo, the teen killed in the shooting, was described Wednesday as a friendly STEM student who charged the two attackers in an effort to help his classmates escape.
Another teen of the same age tackled one of the attackers.
WATCH: Student killed in Colorado school shooting hailed as hero for charging attacker
An 18-year-old STEM student named Devon Erickson and a younger, juvenile student have been identified as suspects in the shooting.
They allegedly entered the school and discharged weapons in two classrooms.
WATCH: Colorado Police confirm details in STEM School shooting
Erickson appeared in court on Wednesday.
Formal charges are expected to be filed by Friday.
- With files from The Associated Press
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