CO bill aims for quicker social media warrants after Evergreen shooting

Federal and State Lawmakers Introduce Legislation in Response to Evergreen High School Shooting

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Evergreen High School, federal and state lawmakers have put forth new legislation aimed at holding social media companies accountable for responding promptly to potential warning signs in online posts.

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen introduced a federal bill that would mandate social media companies to act on warrants related to “credible threats” within three days, a significant improvement from the current 35-day response time. Pettersen emphasized that delays in responses were a critical policy failure that may have contributed to the events at Evergreen High School in September.

State Rep. Tammy Story announced plans to introduce similar legislation in the Colorado legislature soon. A previous bill with a three-day compliance timeline for social media companies was vetoed by Gov. Jared Polis last year, citing concerns with other provisions.

Law enforcement officials revealed that the FBI had been monitoring threats made by Desmond Holly, the 16-year-old shooter, for two months prior to the tragic incident. Several search warrants had been issued but were not executed until after the shooting, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli.

Reflecting on the situation, Pettersen expressed regret that the shooter’s identity was not uncovered sooner, preventing law enforcement from intervening to prevent the tragedy. The FBI had identified discussions of a potential mass shooting but could not take action due to the lack of identifiable account holders.

Experts noted that the shooter was part of violent online networks showcasing white supremacy, antisemitism, and a fascination with mass shootings, including the Columbine High School massacre.

On September 10, Desmond carried out the shooting at Evergreen High, resulting in the loss of two lives and his own. The surviving students were left to deal with the aftermath.

Pettersen acknowledged the challenges in garnering bipartisan support for the federal legislation, considering the current political landscape. She emphasized the need for social media companies to cooperate with law enforcement to address potential threats.