Colorado town mourns teenage girl killed in high school siege

BAILEY, Colo. -- The family of a 16-year-old girl who was held hostage, assaulted and killed at her school urged mourners Saturday to remember her with random acts of kindness and not negative thoughts.

"We have the power to do this," family spokesman Louis Gonzales said. "Let's take the random act that has occurred and turn it to random acts of kindness."

Emily Keyes was shot in the head Wednesday as she fled Duane Morrison, who had held her and five other girls hostage. Morrison killed himself after a SWAT team stormed the classroom.

Several thousand people turned out in the small mountain community for a memorial at the National Farmers Union Education Center. Pink ribbons lined the road, tied to ponderosa pines.

"Emily was a part of my life and a part of all of your lives, and I know that," her twin brother, Casey, said. "And that part was torn away and stolen this Wednesday. But the part of us that can never be torn away and never be stolen is the love and strength that keeps us together."

The crowd greeted Sheriff Fred Wegener with a standing ovation.

"This is the hardest thing that I'll ever face and I want the Keyes family to know that if I could trade places right now, I'd do it in a heartbeat," Wegener said. "Emily will be with me in my heart forever."

On Friday night, a candlelight vigil was held. "I think everybody's looking for answers," said Gray Anderson, a counselor who has been talking with residents. "People are just looking for reasons why."

Earlier it was learned that Morrison had indicated he planned some violent act. A 14-page letter from Morrison was postmarked Wednesday in nearby Shawnee -- the same day he took six girls hostage and killed himself.

Morrison claimed in the letter that it was not a suicide note, Sheriff Fred Wegener said.

"However, many times, the letter references suicide," Wegener said. "This letter clearly acknowledges his pending death. It also apologizes to his family for his actions that will occur."

The letter contains no reference to Platte Canyon High or any other school, nor does it refer to a specific time or plans to harm anyone else, authorities said, leaving investigators with no known connection between the gunman and this town of about 3,500 people 35 miles from Denver.

Morrison, 53, sexually molested all six girls before SWAT teams stormed the classroom, the sheriff said. During a gun battle with police, Morrison shot 16-year-old Emily Keyes to death and then killed himself.

Classes were canceled as the community tried to come to grips with the bloodshed, which evoked memories of the 1999 shooting rampage that left 15 dead at Columbine High School, less than an hour's drive away.

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Associated Press writers Don Mitchell and Kim Nguyen contributed to this report.