A quiet Denver suburb was shaken Wednesday afternoon when a student opened fire at Evergreen High School, leaving three teenagers — including the suspected shooter — critically injured.
Image : Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
A tragic shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado has left three teenagers hospitalized in critical condition, including the suspected gunman, authorities confirmed Wednesday. The incident unfolded just after 12:30 p.m. on the school’s campus in Evergreen, a town roughly 28 miles southwest of Denver.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, all victims are believed to be students. The suspected shooter, a 16-year-old male, reportedly used a handgun to target two classmates before turning the weapon on himself. A fourth student was also hospitalized with injuries sustained while fleeing the scene.
The shooting occurred both inside and outside the school building, though officials have not yet confirmed the exact sequence of events. No law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during the response, and the suspect was located within minutes of the first emergency call.
By mid-afternoon, all three critically injured teens were undergoing treatment at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. Hospital CEO Kevin Cullinan stated that the patients were in surgery or receiving emergency care, and that no additional victims were expected.
The suspect’s identity has not been released, and investigators have yet to determine a motive. Authorities are currently searching the student’s home, locker, and vehicle for evidence, and have not found any written explanation for the attack.
The FBI and ATF are assisting local law enforcement. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X:
“The FBI is on scene and in full support of local authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis also responded to the tragedy, writing:
“Students should be able to attend school safely and without fear across our state and nation. We are all praying for the victims and the entire community.”
More than 100 officers from across the Denver metro area responded to the scene. The school, which serves over 900 students, was placed on lockdown as authorities swept the campus room by room. The lockdown was lifted later in the afternoon, and students were reunited with their families at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, a designated reunification site.
Image : Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
The shooting has deeply rattled the Evergreen community, which has long felt insulated from such violence. One parent, Jen Weber, described hiking through the woods to reach her son after receiving a text message about the shooting.
“I think if I’m being honest with myself, I always knew it was ‘When, not if?’” she told reporters. “But I didn’t ever really think it would happen here in Evergreen.”
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office — the same agency that led the response to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting — is leading the investigation. Officials have pledged to release more details as they become available.
As of Thursday morning, the community remains in mourning, with local leaders and lawmakers calling for unity, support, and renewed efforts to address gun violence in schools.