Attempted Child Abduction in Aurora, Colorado Sparks Renewed Outcry Over School Security.

The attempted abduction of a young child during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado, in 2024 has once again ignited public outrage, not just because of what happened, but because of what may happen next.

The suspect, 33-year-old Solomon Galligan, a convicted sex offender with a 2012 conviction for failure to register, allegedly walked unchallenged onto school property during recess and attempted to grab a student. Fortunately, the child was unharmed, and Galligan was taken into custody soon after.

But the case has taken a troubling turn:

Despite the charges of attempted kidnapping, there is now online uproar after reports surfaced that the Colorado District Attorney’s Office is considering Galligan’s release on grounds of mental incompetence.

This potential release is causing an internet firestorm. It has reignited debate over how secure public schools truly are and whether 1 or 2 resource officers are enough to protect hundreds of children on open campuses.

📊 Alarming Statistics Emphasize the Threat

• Nearly 460,000 children go missing every year in the U.S. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

• A RAND 2023 study revealed that 80% of U.S. public schools have fewer than two security personnel, regardless of campus size.

• According to the U.S. Secret Service, 75% of school violence incidents happened where security personnel or physical deterrents were insufficient or nonexistent.

“This case shows how quickly a threat can appear and how slowly the justice system can respond,” says Jereme Dozier, CEO of Axios Security Group.
“We can’t wait until a tragedy happens to take security seriously. We need action, not apologies.”

Axios Security Group's 5-Point Security Strategy for Schools

✅ 1. Deploy Armed Private Security Professionals

Having trained armed agents on campus—particularly those with Special Operations or law enforcement backgrounds—adds a layer of rapid response and intelligent threat deterrence that outmatches typical staffing models.

✅ 2. Secure Outdoor Spaces Like Recess Zones

Perimeter fencing, secure entry gates, and supervised high-activity areas, such as playgrounds, must be prioritized. Armed or uniformed guards should be stationed in high-traffic student areas.

✅ 3. Train Staff and Students to Call Out Danger

• Faculty and staff must be trained in situational awareness and threat detection.

• Students—even young ones—can be taught age-appropriate protocols to identify “stranger danger”, respond quickly, and alert an adult.

“This isn’t about scaring kids—it’s about empowering them,” Dozier said.
“We train CEOs and diplomats to read the room. Our kids deserve the same vigilance.”

✅ 4. Conduct Full-Spectrum Threat Assessments

School buildings and grounds should be assessed for vulnerabilities, including entry point weaknesses, camera blind spots, and digital access risks that could lead to data breaches or location exposure.

✅ 5. Regular Drills, Emergency Simulations, and Staff-Only Red Team Ops

Rehearse what a real-time incident might look like. Make sure every teacher, administrator, and student knows what to do, where to go, and who to trust.

📣 Public Outrage Over Possible Release: “How is this even possible?”

Parents are furious not just about the incident, but about the legal loopholes allowing a repeat offender to potentially walk free:

“This man tried to grab a child at school in broad daylight,” said one Aurora parent in a viral Facebook post.
“And now you’re telling us he might be back on the streets because he’s ‘mentally incompetent’? What about our kids’ safety?”

💡 The Bottom Line

This incident is a national wake-up call:

• If someone like Solomon Galligan can get that close to children and then be released, schools must take proactive, not reactive, measures.

• Resource officers are not enough. One or two individuals cannot secure an entire campus during multiple recesses, lunch periods, and dismissals.

Axios Security Group Solutions for Schools:

• Armed & uniformed school security (retired military/law enforcement)

• On-site perimeter patrols and secure access checkpoints

• K9 detection teams and real-time monitoring

• Emergency response protocols and staff training

• Customized family-safe alert systems and drills

“We protect executives, judges, hospitals, and government facilities. Our children deserve no less.”
– Jereme Dozier, CEO, Axios Security Group

📞 Contact Axios at 800-485-3983
🌐 www.axiossecuritygroup.com