A transgender registered sex offender, Solomon Galligan, was arrested for allegedly trying to snatch a child from a Colorado elementary school. The incident occurred at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora, where Galligan approached the children playing on the field. Surveillance video captured the moment the children started screaming “stranger danger” and Galligan allegedly grabbed one of the kids, tripping on a white blanket he was carrying in the process.
The child who was nearly abducted reported that Galligan had white powder on his face and smelled of alcohol. Galligan fled the scene, but was later apprehended at a nearby Walgreens and charged with attempted kidnapping. Galligan, who is identified as male in the arrest affidavit, had shared on Facebook in 2011 about his transition and the hormone shots he was taking. He had previously been put on the sex offender registry in 2011 for a conviction of non-consent sexual contact, but details of that incident are unclear.
Galligan is currently being held on a $25,000 bail at the Aurora jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. The disturbing mugshot of Galligan after his arrest has caused alarm and raised questions about his intentions in approaching the children at the school. This incident has reignited debates about the safety of transgender individuals, particularly those with criminal histories, in public spaces where children are present.
The community near Black Forest Hills Elementary School is on edge following the attempted kidnapping, with parents and residents expressing concern for the safety of their children. The swift action by law enforcement in capturing Galligan has been credited with preventing a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further. The incident has also prompted discussions about the importance of educating children about stranger danger and how to react in such situations.
As the case against Galligan progresses, more information about his background and previous offenses is likely to come to light. The fact that he was already on the sex offender registry at the time of this incident has led to calls for stricter monitoring of individuals with similar histories. The outcome of Galligan’s court appearance will be closely watched as the community seeks justice for the child who was targeted and reassurance that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
