Colorado high school shooting update: 2 teens hurt, officials identify shooter
Two teenagers are in critical condition after another teenager, who has since died, is suspected of opening fire in a Colorado high school, according to authorities.
The suspected shooter has been identified as Desmond Holly, said Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, during a Thursday, Sept. 11 news briefing.
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 12:24 p.m., while some students were at lunch, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received the first reports of the school shooting at Evergreen High School, located about 30 miles southwest of Denver, where the shooter, armed with a handgun, fired shots inside and outside of the school.
The male student who opened fire died from self-inflicted injuries, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office stated in a post on X.
It didn't appear that officers fired any rounds, Kelley said.
Following a brief lockdown, the high school, which serves approximately 900 students, was declared safe by law enforcement.
The investigation is ongoing, and the FBI, along with multiple other agencies, is involved.
Who was the suspected shooter?
The suspected shooter was identified as Desmond Holly, a 16-year-old student who attended the school, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
"He was radicalized by some extremist network", Kelley said at the news briefing.
Who are the victims?
The identities of the victims have not been released, but they were also students at the high school.
The victims and the shooter were all taken to the St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, according to PBS and the Denver Post.
One of the victims had critical injuries and the other had non-life-threatening injuries, Dr. Brian Blackwood, head of trauma at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital, said.
The victims' families plan to release photos of the children involved and a statement on Thursday, Sept. 11, according to Kelley. However, she did not state the exact time the information would be released.
"Let them grieve, let them deal with what they're dealing with, the fact that their student or their loved one was shot," Kelley said.
Where did the shooting take place?
The shooting took place at Evergreen High School, 30 miles southwest of Denver. Shots were fired inside and outside of the school.
The crime scene extends off of school property to a street behind the school.
Suspect needed to keep reloading gun
The suspected shooter used a revolver handgun during the shooting and kept having to reload it, Kelley said.
He "brought quite a bit of ammunition with him," she said.
The student did not drive to school or walk; he took the bus.
"He would fire and reload, fire and reload, fire and reload," Kelley said. "This went on and on. And as he did that, he tried to find new targets."
Officers have warrants for the suspected shooters' home, phone and school locker.
Students sheltered in classrooms from shooter
The shooter was kept from shooting more students after the school went into lockdown, Kelley said. While many students fled the school's campus, those who stayed behind hunkered down in their classrooms.
"He came up against a roadblock on many of those (classroom) doors," said Kelley. "So, he couldn't get to those kids."
What led to the shooting?
The motive for the shooting is unknown.
Kelley said the sheriff's office is still investigating the shooting. Officials are investigating the suspected shooter's motive.
It is unknown whether the shooter knew the victims of the shooting, according to the Denver Post.
Classes canceled through the rest of the week
Evergreen High School has canceled classes and will not be in session on Thursday, Sept. 11, and Friday, Sept. 12, according to a news release posted by the school.
It is not known when school will be back in session, as it will remain closed while the investigation continues, according to Kelley. The school would also like to repair broken windows and lockers with bullets shot through them before it resumes classes.
The school has listed various resources and support available to those impacted by the shooting, and will release more information on the resources soon.
Lawmakers react to the school shooting
Officials are reacting and sending their condolences to those impacted by the shooting.
Rep. Jason Crow, a Democratic representative for Colorado's 6th Congressional District, wrote in part in a post on X, saying, "What a terrible day. Schools should not be shooting ranges."
"My heart is with the students, families, and entire Evergreen community after today’s tragic shooting," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a post on X. "No young person should have to carry this kind of trauma, and help is available."
Polis also says he was closely monitoring the situation. State troopers were supporting local law enforcement.
Evergreen High School located near Columbine High School
Evergreen High School is located about 20 miles from Columbine High School, the site of an infamous 1999 mass shooting that killed 12 students and a teacher. Columbine's shooting is considered one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.
Shooting occurs the same day as the Charlie Kirk assassination
Hours after the high school shooting took place, another shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, 31, was holding an event.
During the event, while debating with a student, Kirk was fatally shot. Graphic videos posted online show the moment the shooting happened.
Approximately 3,000 people attended the event, prompting the school to evacuate the campus and shut down.
Police are still searching for the shooter.
This story has been updated with new information.
Contributing: Melissa Galbraith, Will Carless, Thao Nguyen, Josh Meyer, Jeanine Santucci; USA TODAY
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