On September 10, 2025, Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, became the site of a devastating school shooting, marking the state’s 13th such incident since the Columbine massacre in 1999.
A 16-year-old male student opened fire with a revolver, wounding two fellow students before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident, which unfolded just after 12:24 p.m., has left the tight-knit mountain community of Evergreen grappling with grief and renewed calls for action against gun violence.
What Happened at Evergreen High School?
The shooting occurred both inside and outside the school, located about 30 miles southwest of Denver in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Authorities received the first 911 call at 12:24 p.m., prompting a swift response from over 100 law enforcement officers across the Denver metro area, including the FBI and ATF. Within five minutes, officers located the shooter, who was later confirmed to have died from self-inflicted injuries. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons during the incident.
Two students were injured in the attack. As of September 11, one victim remains in critical condition at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, while the other has been upgraded to stable and transferred to another facility. A fourth individual was reportedly transported to a hospital with unspecified injuries, though details remain unclear.
The school, home to over 900 students, was placed on lockdown as officers conducted a room-by-room search to ensure no additional threats remained. Students were evacuated and reunited with families at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, though the process was chaotic as some fled in multiple directions, including to nearby homes. One resident, Don Cygan, a retired educator, sheltered 18 students who sought refuge at his home, where his wife, a retired nurse, treated them for shock.
A Community in Shock
Evergreen, a quiet town of about 9,300 residents, is known for its serene, forested surroundings, making the violence particularly jarring. “This is the scariest thing you could ever think could happen,” said Jacki Kelley, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, during a press conference.
Parents, like Wendy Nueman, described the terror of waiting to hear from their children, with her daughter calling from a borrowed phone to confirm she was safe after running from the school.
The shooting has reopened wounds in Jefferson County, home to Columbine High School, where 14 people were killed in 1999. The Jefferson County Education Association condemned the violence, stating, “Colorado has lived through this pain too many times. We cannot become numb.” Superintendent Tracy Dorland expressed anger and heartbreak, emphasizing, “No child should ever face this kind of danger, and no community should be asked to absorb this kind of pain.”
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigation
Governor Jared Polis called the shooting a “senseless act of violence,” pledging support from state troopers and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families. Senator Michael Bennet voiced horror at the incident, thanking first responders for their swift action.
Investigators are processing multiple crime scenes at the school and seeking search warrants for the shooter’s home, locker, and social media to determine a motive. It remains unclear whether the victims were targeted or if the shooter knew them. The sheriff’s office is interviewing hundreds of student witnesses to piece together the events.
Classes at Evergreen High School and eight other schools in the Evergreen and Conifer areas were canceled through at least September 11, with plans for Friday still pending.
A State Haunted by Gun Violence
Colorado has faced a series of high-profile shootings, including the 2012 Aurora theater massacre, the 2021 Boulder supermarket shooting, and the 2022 Club Q attack in Colorado Springs.
The Evergreen incident, occurring just 20 minutes after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, underscores a troubling day of violence in the region.
As the investigation continues, the Evergreen community and the nation mourn, with calls for stronger measures to protect schools growing louder. “We must do better to protect our kids,” said Colorado Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, echoing a sentiment felt across the state.
Sources
CBS ColoradoColorado Public RadioThe New York TimesPBS NewsAP NewsNBC NewsABC NewsCNNDenver PostAl JazeeraDenver7ChalkbeatColorado Newsline
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