Colorado school shooting: Who is 16-year-old behind Evergreen High School attack?
Evergreen High School attack. Photo credit: Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
A shooting at Evergreen High School on Wednesday has left a community reeling after a 16-year-old student opened fire, injuring two classmates before taking his own life. Authorities confirmed late in the evening that the suspected gunman died from a self-inflicted wound hours after the attack.
Doctors reported that one of the victims remains in critical condition, while the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both, along with the shooter, were treated at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital. A fourth student suffered injuries while fleeing the scene and sought medical help independently.
Swift Police Response Amid Chaos
The incident began around 12:24 p.m. when the teenager fired a revolver at students on campus. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the first emergency calls came in minutes later, and deputies were inside the school within two minutes, locating the shooter almost immediately. Officers did not fire their weapons during the encounter.
The violence unfolded both inside and outside the school building, creating two separate crime scenes. Law enforcement agencies from across the Denver metro area rushed to assist, alongside federal investigators who supported witness interviews and forensic analysis. Sheriff Reggie Marinelli noted that many officers offered help without being asked, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
Families Reunited, School Closed
Parents were directed to Bergen Meadow Elementary School, where hundreds anxiously waited to reunite with their children. By late Wednesday, all students had been accounted for and sent home with their families, while Evergreen High School remained closed.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “hundreds” of students witnessed the shooting. Investigators have not determined whether the victims were specifically targeted and are seeking search warrants for the shooter’s home and school locker as part of the ongoing probe.
Evergreen High School, located about 28 miles southwest of Denver, has an enrollment of roughly 900 students. Following the attack, all district athletic events and activities scheduled for Wednesday were canceled.
Shock and Fear in the Community
For students and parents, the day carried a mix of disbelief and grim recognition. Cameron Jones, a ninth grader, recalled eating lunch outdoors when gunfire erupted. “I thought this was like a one-in-a-million thing, and it still feels surreal that it happened,” he said.
Jen Weber, whose son is a freshman, described the chilling moment she received his text message while washing her car. “If I’m being honest, I always knew it was ‘when, not if,’” she admitted. “But I never thought it would be here, in Evergreen.”
A State Scarred by Repeated School Shootings
Colorado, still haunted by the 1999 Columbine massacre, has faced repeated episodes of school violence. The Jefferson County Education Association said each new incident deepens old wounds for survivors and the broader community.
🚨BREAKING: SCHOOL SHOOTING
Multiple shots reported at Evergreen High School in Colorado. At least 2 students injured, victims hospitalized. Reunification set up at Wilmot Elementary. Authorities are investigating. pic.twitter.com/j8efPE3m1A
— David Nino Rodriguez (@ninoboxer) September 10, 2025
“Colorado has lived through this pain too many times. We cannot accept this as normal,” the teachers union declared. “We demand meaningful action from leaders at every level to end the epidemic of gun violence in our schools.”
Governor Jared Polis also expressed his condolences, calling the tragedy senseless and promising support for victims and families. “No family should ever fear for their child’s life as they send them to school,” Polis said. “This kind of violence has no place in Colorado, or anywhere.”