Desmond Holly, a 16-year-old student, was identified as the shooter in the Evergreen High School tragedy in Colorado. The teen died by suicide after injuring two classmates. Authorities are investigating possible extremist ties and the motive behind the attack.
In the aftermath of the Evergreen High School shooting, authorities have identified the teenager who shot and killed students in Colorado on Wednesday. Desmond Holly is the name of the 16-year-old boy who has been identified as the suspect.
He shot people inside the school before turning the gun on himself. As investigators try to figure out what caused the attack, two students are still in critical condition in the hospital.
The suspect in the Evergreen High School shooting has been identified as Desmond Holly, according to Denver7, citing two high-ranking sources. Holly, a 16-year-old student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after allegedly shooting two other students on campus. Both victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
What happened during the Evergreen High School shooting?
At 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert for an “active assailant” near Evergreen High School, describing the situation as an “active scene.”
Investigators say Holly shot and wounded two of his peers before turning the gun on himself. All three students were taken to CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital. Holly was later pronounced dead.
According to Dr. Brian Blackwood, head of the trauma unit at the Lakewood hospital, one victim remains in critical condition, while the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
Authorities said Holly used a revolver during the shooting, which occurred both inside and outside the school building.
“I can tell you that I don’t believe law enforcement fired any rounds today. So, we still need to learn exactly what happened to that suspect and why he was injured the way that he is,” Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, told Denver 7.
The circumstances that led to the shooting are currently not known.
What did Desmond Holly do?
Speaking for the Jefferson County sheriff’s office, Jacki Kelley stated that the 16-year-old boy had been “radicalized by some extremist network” prior to the attack.
Authorities say he took the bus to school on Wednesday morning, as per a report by the Daily Camera. The sheriff’s office reports that the gunman, Desmond Holly, died from a self-inflicted wound.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office claims that Desmond Holly arrived at the school carrying several rounds of ammunition.
Kelley said investigators discovered evidence of Desmond’s radicalization in his home and on his phone, but he did not elaborate on how or what subjects he was radicalized on, as per a report by CPR.
As of Thursday morning, a warrant for Desmond Holly’s phone, locker, and family home was obtained by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
What is the police looking into right now?
Authorities said Desmond Holly had been influenced by extremist networks, though his exact motives remain unclear. “Sometimes we never find out why,” Kelley remarked, adding that investigators are exploring the possibility that the shooting was both targeted and random.
The FBI and NCIS are supporting Jefferson County deputies in examining Desmond Holly’s background, radicalisation, and potential affiliations. An autopsy on the suspect was completed Thursday morning.
School Security Questions Raised
Officials revealed that Evergreen’s school resource officer was on medical leave at the time of the attack. A deputy on patrol had been called to another investigation, leaving the campus temporarily without direct law enforcement presence when the shooting began.
The incident has prompted fresh concerns about school safety protocols and law enforcement coverage at campuses across Jefferson County.
Victims and Community Response
Two students were shot during the attack. One remains in critical condition at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, while another sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged. A third student is receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.
Classes at Evergreen High School and several nearby schools were cancelled for Thursday and Friday. Mental health resources have been set up at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, which also served as the reunification point for families after the shooting.
Classes canceled
In the aftermath of the shooting, Jeffco Public Schools canceled Thursday classes for schools in the Evergreen and Conifer areas.
In a letter to the community, Superintendent Tracy Dorland wrote her district will “continue to do everything in our power to ensure our schools are safe places where students can learn, grow, and thrive, free from fear.”
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