Student Suspect Dies After Opening Fire at Evergreen High School; Two Classmates Wounded
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — Authorities confirmed Wednesday evening that the student suspected of opening fire inside Evergreen High School earlier in the day has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooting left two classmates injured and rattled a community still haunted by the legacy of school violence.
Timeline of Events
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting began at 12:24 p.m. Wednesday. Gunfire erupted inside the school, sending students and staff into lockdown.
Three students were initially taken to the hospital in critical condition, including the suspected shooter. By evening, officials confirmed that the shooter had died.
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One student remains in critical condition.
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Another student is listed in stable condition.
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A fourth student was transported with an unknown injury, though officials have not specified whether it was gun-related.
The suspect’s name has not been released, though authorities confirmed the shooter was a student at Evergreen High.
Law Enforcement Response
Within minutes, dozens of officers from local, state, and federal agencies swarmed the campus. Sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents, and ATF investigators joined forces to secure the school and escort frightened students and teachers to safety.
The sheriff’s office later said the suspect was armed with a revolver handgun. Authorities obtained search warrants for both the suspect’s home and locker, hoping to uncover evidence of planning, motive, or outside involvement.
“This is the scariest thing you’d think could ever happen,” Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jacki Kelley told reporters at a briefing. Kelley said she could not release details about the suspect’s age but noted, “I don’t know if our suspect is even old enough to drive.”
Voices of Leadership
Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a statement calling the shooting “devastating” and extended his condolences to victims and their families.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they grapple with this senseless act of violence,” Polis said.
At the federal level, FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged the tragedy, saying the agency was “fully supporting local authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Reunification and Aftermath
The school remained locked down for hours as heavily armed officers conducted classroom-by-classroom sweeps. Students were eventually escorted out in small groups, hands raised, and reunited with parents at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, a designated safe site.
The incident brought hundreds of parents, neighbors, and community members to the area, anxiously waiting for updates.
A Painful Echo of History
The shooting comes in a county that is no stranger to school violence. Jefferson County was the site of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
For many residents, the events at Evergreen reignited painful memories and underscored the enduring urgency of addressing youth access to firearms and school safety.
What Comes Next
The Major Crimes Unit of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, alongside federal partners, will continue to investigate the shooting. Authorities say they are examining digital devices, social media activity, and personal writings to better understand the suspect’s motives.
Mental health resources have been made available to students, staff, and families as Evergreen grapples with the trauma.
As of Wednesday night, the community remains in shock, mourning one young life lost and praying for the recovery of others — all while confronting the chilling reality that yet another act of violence has touched a Colorado school.
