On Thursday, authorities in Colorado revealed the identity of the 16-year-old student suspected of a tragic shooting at Evergreen High School. The suspect, named Desmond Holly, is believed to have been “radicalized by an extremist network,” although officials have yet to specify which network influenced him. This alarming information was disclosed during a news briefing by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Desmond Holly reportedly opened fire around 12:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, utilizing a revolver handgun and firing multiple rounds on the school grounds. As per the authorities, Holly was heavily armed, bringing a substantial amount of ammunition and continuing to reload as he fired. Tragically, his assault resulted in two students being shot—one inside the school and another outside, with both victims currently in critical condition.
Jacki Kelley, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, expressed her relief that more individuals were not harmed during this catastrophic event. “I have to believe when you bring a gun to school, and you continue to fire and reload, that you are on a mission,” she stated. The swift actions of the school staff and students, who effectively locked down the premises, were commended. Kelley emphasized the importance of their preparedness, saying, “They did the right thing. They locked down.”
In the wake of the shooting, the authorities have obtained warrants to search Holly’s home, phone, and school locker. However, they have not disclosed specific details about what evidence may have been uncovered during these searches. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on determining the motive behind the shooting, including a review of Holly's social media activity.
Multiple crime scenes have been established both inside and outside the school, with numerous windows and lockers damaged from the gunfire. Kelley reported finding both spent and unspent rounds at the scene, highlighting the severity of the attack. Evergreen High School, part of the Jefferson County Public Schools district, will remain closed for the remainder of the week and possibly into the following week due to the extensive cleanup required.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the community of Evergreen, a mountain town located approximately 30 miles southwest of Denver. The school district is still reeling from the effects of this violence, which echoes the tragic history of Columbine High School, another institution in the district that experienced one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history in 1999. As the community copes with this latest tragedy, questions regarding school safety and the influence of extremism on youth continue to surface.
As investigations proceed, the hope remains that the injured victims will recover and that measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community stands united in its grief and determination to find solutions to ensure the safety of all students.
