A 16-year-old student identified as Desmond Holly opened fire at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, on Wednesday, wounding two classmates before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities are investigating claims of external radicalization of the suspect, with officials from the sheriff’s office publicly citing this possibility as an investigatory lead.
Newsweek contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for comment by telephone on Friday outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
The shooting at Evergreen High School occurs in a national context of repeated school gun violence and heightened concern about online radicalization among adolescents.
It took place on the same day that conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, sparking widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
What To Know
Law enforcement says the shooting began just before or around 12:24-12:30 p.m. local time; officers arrived within minutes and found multiple crime scenes inside and outside the three-story school. Three students were taken to hospitals, including the suspect, who later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities named the suspect as 16-year-old Desmond Holly. Two students were critically injured; one victim was identified by family and officials as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone.
Jefferson County law enforcement has said early indications point to Holly having been “radicalized by some extremist network,” and investigators have obtained warrants for his phone, home and locker; the FBI has deployed an evidence response team to assist.
Officials said Holly used a revolver, brought a substantial amount of ammunition, fired repeatedly and reloaded multiple times while roaming campus; locked classroom doors likely limited further casualties.
Local reporting says accounts believed to be linked to Holly contained references to mass shootings and antisemitic material, and a Denver Post report described imagery and slogans resembling past white supremacist iconography.
According to the publication, five days before the attack Holly posted a video on TikTok of himself wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word “wrath,” similar to that worn by one of the shooters during the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.
Holly’s also reportedly reposted videos showing school shootings in movies and pictures of people in Nazi uniform.
What People Are Saying
Speaking to reporters Jacki Kelley, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said: “I have to believe when you bring a gun to school, and you continue to fire and reload, and fire and reload, that you are on a mission.
“We’re very, very grateful that there were not more injuries, but saddened that there were any.”
In a statement posted on X Colorado Governor Jared Polis said: “This kind of violence has no place in Colorado, especially our schools where kids should feel safe to learn and grow. No family should ever fear for their child’s life as they send them to school.”
On X FBI Director Kash Patel commented: “Our @FBIDenver team continues to work with our partners regarding the investigation of the shooting at Evergreen High School yesterday afternoon in Colorado.
“We have deployed our evidence response team and other specialty resources as part of our response to this incident … Most importantly, our thoughts continue to be with the two victims injured in the shooting and all those who have been impacted by this horrific attack. We will share more as we are able.”
What Happens Next
Investigators will continue forensic analysis of Holly’s phone and digital accounts, examine his communications and contacts for evidence of networking or direction by others, and seek to establish whether the attack was targeted or random. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said further details would be released as evidence is processed.
Federal partners including the FBI and NCIS will assist with digital forensics and evidence collection; prosecutors will decide whether any third parties, including caregivers, could face charges related to firearm access as the ownership and access to the revolver remain under investigation.
Authorities have asked the community for patience as they sort through digital evidence and urged anyone with information to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
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