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CBI and Rocky Ford Police Announce Arrests in Rocky Ford School Threat Investigation


Description: CBI and Rocky Ford Police arrested two individuals after investigating reported school threats at Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High. Firearms were recovered... Complete Statement from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Follows...

Investigative Follow-Up: Arrests Made in Rocky Ford School Threat Investigation

November 5, 2025 – CBI –  Rocky Ford, CO – The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in collaboration with Rocky Ford Police, announces arrests stemming from the ongoing investigation into the earlier reported threats at the Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High school.

On September 30, 2025, the Rocky Ford Police Department received a report that a 16-year-old male student had brought a firearm to a school sporting event in response to alleged threats from another younger juvenile.

Rocky Ford Police had previously investigated that other younger juvenile on two separate occasions but were unable to corroborate any credible threats to the school. To ensure the safety of students and staff, the Rocky Ford Police Department requested assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was supported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Division.

CBI agents assisted by providing additional school security and conducting interviews with witnesses who reportedly saw the 16-year old juvenile suspect with a firearm on school grounds. The ATF Denver Division deployed a certified K9 team to search the school for firearms and explosives.

Throughout the coordinated response, the Rocky Ford Police Department and CBI executed multiple search warrants and consensual searches, resulting in the recovery of ammunition and other pieces of evidence.

By the conclusion of October 1, 2025, the joint investigation determined that there was no credible threat to the Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High School.

CBI Special Agents continued the investigation in the days following, analyzing evidence and conducting follow-up interviews. The investigation revealed that the 16-year-old male suspect had been in possession of multiple firearms prior to and on the day of the incident. Investigators also determined that an adult female, Malena Gutierrez of Rocky Ford, had knowingly assisted the juvenile in gaining access to the firearms.

While the investigation could not confirm that the juvenile possessed a firearm during the school sporting event on September 30, sufficient evidence supported criminal charges against both individuals.

As a result: 

  • Malena Gutierrez, of Rocky Ford, was arrested for two felony charges:  

    • Unlawfully providing or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun (Class 4 Felony)

    • Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (Class 4 Felony)

  • The 16-year-old male juvenile was arrested for:

    • Possession of a dangerous or illegal weapon (Class 5 Felony)

    • Possession of weapons by a previous offender (Class 5 Felony)

    • Possession of a handgun by a juvenile (Class 2 Misdemeanor)

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Rocky Ford Police Department, and ATF Denver Division wish to thank the community and school staff for their cooperation during the investigation.

All Parties Considered Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law.