Authorities in Colorado confirmed that a student opened fire at Evergreen High School, near Denver, on Wednesday, wounding two classmates before turning the gun on himself.
The incident unfolded shortly before 12:30 p.m. local time in the Jefferson County foothills, about 28 miles southwest of Denver.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded within minutes after receiving multiple 911 calls. The shooter, believed to be a student at the school, fired both inside and outside the building using a handgun before fatally shooting himself.
Jacki Kelley, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said the quick response allowed officers to make contact with the suspect in under five minutes. She confirmed that no law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during the operation.
Two students were struck during the attack. One remains in critical condition at CommonSpirit St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, while the other is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries at the same facility. Their identities have not been released.
Hundreds of officers from across the Denver metro area rushed to the scene. Teams worked to secure the building, clearing classrooms one by one until the school was declared safe. Authorities also set up a reunification center at Bergen Meadow Elementary School for anxious parents and guardians.
Sheriff Reggie Marinelli emphasized the importance of reuniting students with their families despite traffic congestion and difficult road conditions. “One of our biggest concerns was ensuring every student got back home safely. Thanks to training and preparation, we made it work,” she said.
Several students described the terrifying moments as gunshots rang out during lunchtime. One freshman told CBS Colorado he heard between 15 and 30 shots while in the cafeteria. Another student, Silas, recalled hiding with classmates near a doorway before eventually coming face-to-face with the gunman.
A parent also told reporters that drills had not prepared students for a shooting in the cafeteria. “You never think it will happen at your school, but it did,” she said, urging other parents to talk to their children about such scenarios.
Jeffco Public Schools announced there would be no classes Thursday or Friday at Evergreen High School. Classes were also canceled Thursday for several nearby schools, including Evergreen Middle, Conifer High, Wilmot Elementary, Parmalee Elementary, Elk Creek Elementary, Marshdale Elementary, Bergen Elementary, and West Jefferson Middle School.
District Superintendent Tracy Dorland issued a statement acknowledging the community’s grief:
“Safety is our number one priority every day, and yet, here we are once again, mourning the impact of gun violence on our students.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and other elected leaders expressed deep concern following the tragedy. “We are all praying for the victims and the entire community,” Polis said.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), joined local authorities at the scene to assist with the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed agents were on site to support public safety efforts.
Aftermath
By late afternoon, Highway 73 near Evergreen Lake was reopened after being closed for several hours. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office urged residents not to approach or touch any debris from the shooting, citing potential hazards.
The incident has once again reignited concerns about school safety and gun violence in the United States, leaving the Evergreen community shaken but united in grief and support for the victims.
