UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
EVERGREEN, Colo. — A student opened fire at Evergreen High School on Wednesday, injuring two classmates before turning the gun on himself. The tragic event unfolded at approximately 12:24 p.m., according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect, Desmond Holly, 16, succumbed to his self-inflicted injuries, reports KDVR. The two wounded students were taken to a local hospital. One of the victims was identified as Matthew Silverstone, 18. The other victim has opted to remain unidentified.
The local sheriff’s office says Holly was radicalized by “some extremist network.” The Denver Post reports he was fixated on mass shootings and held White supremacist and anti-Semitic views. He was also active on a “violent gore” site months before the attack, reports CBS News.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), other school shooters over the past year, as well as Holly, were active on the site, which the ADL says hosts graphic content and materials supporting White supremacist ideas. The two other shooters the ADL identified as frequenting the site before they carried out their attacks include the Abundant Life Christian School gunman and Antioch High School gunman.
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Police Quickly Respond, Evergreen High School Goes Into Lockdown
Immediately after Wednesday’s shooting, law enforcement officers responded, arriving at the scene within two minutes after receiving the alert and confronting the gunman within five minutes, reports CPR. The officers, however, did not discharge their weapons during their response.
In the immediate aftermath, Evergreen High School was placed on lockdown as officials conducted a thorough sweep of the campus to ensure safety. There were several crime scenes on the campus, with some inside and some outside, including on the roadway behind the school. The entire incident was caught on the school’s video surveillance system.
School Lockdown Thwarted Gunman’s Attempts
After the suspect shot the first two victims, he apparently tried to find more targets but was unable to access them due doors on campus being quickly locked by staff members after the initial shots were fired. He reloaded his revolver several times but wasn’t able to shoot anyone else.
By late Wednesday, students were reunited with their families, and the school was closed for the remainder of the week. The campus will remain closed this entire week as well, including athletic events and other activities, reports the 9News. Mental health resources are available for those affected by the tragedy.
Evergreen High School, which is located about 28 miles southwest of Denver, enrolls roughly 900 students.
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If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health concerns, emotional distress, problematic substance use, or just need someone to talk to, text or call 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available 24/7 to listen, provide judgment-free support, and additional resources.