A teen shooter opened fire at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving multiple victims injured before turning the gun on himself.
Teen shooter identified
The 16-year-old suspect, identified as Desmond Holly, died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, authorities confirmed.
The incident unfolded shortly after noon, at approximately 12:24 p.m., according to information from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and emergency personnel rushed to the campus as reports of shots fired spread quickly through the community.
Later that evening, officials confirmed through an update posted to X that the shooter had died.
Jacki Kelley, spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office, provided additional details during a press briefing.
She stated that two students sustained critical injuries in the attack and were transported to local hospitals.
The suspected shooter was also taken for treatment before being pronounced dead.
A fourth student was hospitalized as well, though officials have not yet clarified the reason for that child’s admission.
One of the two critically injured students was discharged from the hospital, while the other continues to fight for their life, according to reports Thursday morning.
Teen shooter allegedly radicalized online
Authorities officially identified the shooter as Holly, a 16-year-old student at the school.
Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting. “We’re looking at a motive, we don’t have one yet,” Kelley said, according to CBS News. “Sometimes we never find out why.”
Kelley further revealed disturbing information about Holly’s background. “He was radicalized by some extremist network, and the details of that will be down the road, and we wanted to give you that much about maybe a mindset for him,” she said.
Officials did not immediately provide additional information about that alleged radicalization.
Describing the shooting itself, Kelley said Holly repeatedly fired, reloaded, and sought out more victims.
“He continued to fire and reload, fire and reload, fire and reload, this went on and on and as he did that, he had to continue to find more targets,” she recounted.
She praised the response of both students and faculty during the dangerous situation.
“They did their job, they did it well, and lives were saved yesterday because of the actions they took during their lockdown drill,” Kelley said.
She noted that some children fled while others followed strict lockdown protocols, which helped protect many inside the school.
Following the violence, Evergreen High School canceled all classes for the remainder of the week, according to local reports.
The decision was made to allow students, parents, and staff time to process the tragedy.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a statement condemning the incident.
“This kind of violence has no place in Colorado, especially our schools where kids should feel safe to learn and grow,” Polis wrote on X Wednesday night. The governor added, “No family should ever fear for their child’s life.”
“My heart goes out to the victims of the Evergreen shooting and their families as they grapple with this senseless act of violence,” Polis continued.
“I, the Evergreen Community, and the entire State of Colorado are devastated by this and will keep the victims, as well as their friends and family, in our thoughts.”
He noted he would remain closely involved in receiving updates from law enforcement.
13-year-old’s school shooting plot thwarted
As Colorado was left reeling, news broke from Washington state of another disturbing case involving a potential school shooting plot.
Police there said they intercepted a potential teen shooter preparing to carry out an attack.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported that it received an “intelligence communication” late Friday regarding a 13-year-old who allegedly had “school shooting ideations” and was threatening to kill.
Deputies and a SWAT team arrested the teen at his residence early Saturday morning.
During a search of the property, investigators discovered a disturbing cache of weapons.
“The search has produced a large quantity of firearms that were both secured and unsecured. Loaded magazines with school shooter writings on them, and clothing and writings that would support a typical mass shooting scenario, were confiscated,” officials said in a statement.
Evidence taken from the teen’s bedroom showed what authorities described as an obsession with previous school shooters.
Investigators found images, notes, and inscriptions indicating that the youth was imitating violent figures from the past.
Social media posts from June 2025 showed the teen allegedly posing with firearms and dressed in clothing similar to that of notorious school shooters, according to investigators.
One post cited in a probable cause statement reportedly read, “when I turn 21 [I am] going to kill people.” Another message allegedly said, “its over! my time is almost [here]!”
The allegedly thwarted teen shooter also kept a list of intended targets, KOMO News reported, citing law enforcement sources.
Authorities noted that it was a tipster who first alerted them to the teen’s alleged plans.
Deputy Carly Cappetto explained that during the raid, officials seized 23 firearms along with numerous ammunition boxes. Several of the weapons were illegal because they lacked serial numbers.
She said investigators also discovered a “go bag” prepared with ammunition and AR-style magazines.
“It appeared the suspect had everything ready to go to commit a mass shooting type of incident,” Cappetto said. “It is clear it was only a matter of time before a tragic incident occurred.”
The juvenile has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, unlawful possession of fireworks, and attempted threat to bomb or injure a school.
Despite the weapons being located inside the family home, the teenager’s parents have not been charged.
Prosecutors are reportedly considering whether improper firearm storage could warrant additional charges. Authorities confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.
