Lawsuit against Denver schools over East High shooting can move forward

Judge rules DPS showed 'shocking disregard' for risks posed by student with gun history

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A lawsuit filed by a former East High School dean who was shot and injured by a student in 2023 can move forward, a judge has ruled. The judge found that Denver Public Schools appeared to have 'exhibited a shocking disregard' for the risk the student posed, citing his prior expulsion for having guns and the district's decision to remove police officers from schools.

Why it matters

The ruling provides more details about the 2023 shooting at East High School, which left two deans injured. It also highlights ongoing concerns about student safety and gun violence in schools, as well as the legal liability school districts may face when they fail to adequately address known threats.

The details

The student, Austin Lyle, had previously been expelled from another high school after police found an AR-15, ammunition, and a silencer in his bedroom. After Lyle enrolled at East High, school administrators implemented a safety plan that required him to check in daily and have his backpack searched. However, on the day of the shooting, an assistant principal did not respond to calls to search Lyle's backpack, so dean Eric Sinclair offered to do it instead. Sinclair found a bulge in Lyle's sweatshirt and realized it was a gun, at which point Lyle pulled out the weapon and opened fire, hitting Sinclair and fellow dean Wayne Mason.

  • In March 2023, two East High School deans were shot and injured by a student.
  • In January 2023, the student, Austin Lyle, had enrolled at East High after being expelled from another school for having guns in his possession.
  • On March 2, 2023, another student reported seeing what appeared to be a gun in Lyle's pocket, leading to increased security measures.
  • On March 23, 2023, the shooting incident occurred when Sinclair tried to search Lyle's backpack.

The players

Eric Sinclair

A former dean at East High School who was shot and injured by a student in 2023 and has filed a lawsuit against Denver Public Schools.

Wayne Mason

A former dean at East High School who was also shot and injured in the 2023 incident and has filed a lawsuit against Denver Public Schools.

Austin Lyle

A student who had previously been expelled from another high school for having guns in his possession, and who shot and injured the two East High School deans in 2023.

Shawne Anderson

An assistant principal at East High School who created a safety plan for the student, Austin Lyle, after he enrolled at the school.

Denver Public Schools

The school district that is being sued by the two injured deans over its handling of the student who carried out the shooting.

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What’s next

The lawsuit against Denver Public Schools will now move forward to the next stage, where the district will have the opportunity to present its evidence and arguments in court.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about student safety and gun violence in schools, as well as the legal liability school districts may face when they fail to adequately address known threats to their students and staff.