The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday night that the suspected gunman who shot two students at Evergreen High School before turning the gun on himself has died. This shocking event has raised serious concerns about school safety across the nation.
The shooting occurred just before 12:30 PM on the school grounds, affecting both indoor and outdoor areas of the campus, which serves over 900 students and is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Denver. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, three students, including the shooter, were immediately transported to CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood for medical treatment.
As of Wednesday evening, one of the injured students remains in serious condition, while another has been upgraded to stable condition and subsequently transferred to a different facility, as confirmed by spokesperson Lindsay Radford in an update to Axios Denver. Additionally, a fourth individual sustained injuries that were not gunshot-related, according to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jacki Kelley.
The suspected shooter, identified as a juvenile male, was armed with a handgun and opened fire on his fellow students before inflicting a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As of now, law enforcement has not disclosed the age of the shooter or the identities of the victims. Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have joined local authorities in the investigation, which began just two minutes after the shooting was reported.
Investigators are currently focused on searching the suspect's home, vehicle, and locker in an effort to uncover more details about his background and possible motives. In addition, authorities are interviewing numerous students who witnessed the harrowing event to gather more information.
In light of this tragic event, Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his deep concern, stating that students should be able to attend school safely and without fear. He emphasized his commitment to closely monitoring the situation. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet also expressed his horror over the incident in a statement shared on X.
This tragic shooting at Evergreen High School comes only two weeks after another devastating incident, where a shooter opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to over a dozen others. Colorado has a painful history of school shootings, notably the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which became a national focal point for discussions about school safety. Other notable incidents include a shooting at Arapahoe High School in 2013, which claimed the life of one student, and another fatal shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in 2019.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding gun violence and school safety in the United States, prompting further discussions about preventive measures and community support for students and their families.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.
