Editor’s note: The Post Independent does not typically name those who die by suicide unless they are a person of public interest and/or the information relates to public safety.

The heavily armed man found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park last year visited several sites about mass shootings, but authorities were unable to uncover a motive or why he seemingly changed his mind, a Garfield County Sheriff’s Office release states.

Diego Barajas-Medina, 20, was found dead by suicide on Oct. 28 at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with numerous firearms and improvised explosive devices. He was wearing black tactical clothing, body armor and wrote on one of the restroom walls “I’m not a killer, I just wanted to get in the cave,” the release states.

“The investigation was unable to uncover any motive for (Barajas-Medina) amassing such a lethal arsenal nor did it explain what happened to change his mind and why he did not follow through with whatever he was planning,” the release states. “Toxicology reports showed no traces of alcohol or other illegal drugs in his system.”

Barajas-Medina was a Roaring Fork Valley resident who graduated from Roaring Fork High School in 2021, the release states. Although he was described as being “a bit of a loner” he had no prior interactions with law enforcement and was not believed to be a threat to others.

Barajas-Medina’s home was searched in the early response to the Adventure Park call and was cleared. A search of his phone and computer “revealed he visited several sites discussing other mass shootings,” the release states. No connection between Barajas-Medina and the Adventure Park was found and there is no reason to believe he was working with others or as part of any group.

“There was nothing to indicate that he worked in concert with any other individual or group or that he was part of an extremist group nor did he operate at the behest of any drug cartel or terrorist group,” the release states.

Because of the explosive devices, some armed and others inert, Grand Junction Bomb Squad responded to the Adventure Park in October. The park closed for two days so law enforcement could investigate further and ensure there was no remaining threat to the public, the release states.

“These steps were necessary for the safety of the public at large as well as to determine the possible extent of (Barajas-Medina’s) criminal activity,” the release states.

Given the size of the arsenal Barajas-Medina had with him, it is very possible he could have “implemented an attack of devastating proportions on our community resulting in multiple injuries and possibly death to members of the public as well as first responders. As a community, we are fortunate and thankful that this did not happen.”

“The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the employees and maintenance staff of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for their patience and ongoing assistance with this investigation. We would also like to extend out thanks to the Grand Junction Bomb Squad, Garfield County All Hazard Response Team, the Carbondale Police Department, the Garfield County Coroner, Unites States Postal Inspectors, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance with this investigation.”