Report: NAU shooting suspect sober; all four victims had blood-alcohol levels above legal limit

Newly released police reports show all four victims of the Northern Arizona University shooting were intoxicated and three of the four tested positive for marijuana when they were shot on the Flagstaff campus Oct. 9.

The reports, released Monday by NAU police, showed the victims had blood-alcohol levels that exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent for motorists in Arizona. Tests on the suspected shooter, Steven Jones, indicated "no alcohol or drugs," according to the reports.

The reports say:

• Nicholas Piring, 20, who was injured, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.208 percent, which is more than twice the limit of 0.08 percent for motorists in Arizona.
• Kyle Zientek, 20, who was injured, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.181 percent and tested positive for marijuana. 
• Nicholas Prato, 20, who was injured, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.092 percent and tested positive for marijuana.
• Colin Brough, 20, who died in the shooting, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.285 percent, more than three times the legal limit. The toxicology report that accompanied his autopsy also showed that he had recently used marijuana. 

The Arizona Republic has not been able to reach any of the victims or their representatives for comment.

​A report released last week by the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner showed Brough died of two gunshot wounds, one in his chest and the other in his right shoulder.

Report: NAU shooting victim Colin Brough's blood alcohol 3 times above legal limit

The bullets perforated his lung, vena cava and aorta. Both shots were to the front of his body, and an NAU police report released earlier stated that Brough was leaning slightly forward when he was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones, 18, who has been charged with first-degree murder in Brough's death, said that he acted in self-defense. Jones told police that Brough and another man charged him before he fired. That allegation has been corroborated by at least one witness and contradicted by others.

Jones told police in an interview after the shooting that he had taken "only a sip" of his friend's beer that night because he knew he would be driving later.

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Jones said he and two friends were first attacked and beaten outside an apartment complex that borders the campus. He alleged the assailants then chased him to his car, which was parked nearby in a campus lot. He grabbed his gun from the car and confronted Brough and another male, and then shot them when they lunged at him, he said.

But one of the victims, Prato, told police Brough and the other student didn't approach Jones.

A crowd took Jones to the ground after Brough and another student were shot. Jones shot two more students, according to the police report. He put down the gun and surrendered when police arrived.

A Coconino County grand jury indicted Jones on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. At a hearing Nov. 24, Deputy Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said his office was not planning on offering any plea agreements.

Videos from police body cameras show that Jones was distraught and nearly hysterical when police arrested him.

Video: NAU shooting suspect screams as he is arrested

Brough, a junior, was an honors student majoring in international business. He had already landed an internship in London for the summer of 2016.

He grew up in Annapolis, Md., playing lacrosse at Broadneck High School before moving with his parents and two brothers to Castle Rock, Colo., about 30 miles south of Denver. He graduated from Castle Rock High School in 2013 and started classes at NAU the following fall.

Brough's family could not be reached for comment.

IMAGES FROM THE INCIDENT AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com.