Colorado Student Killed Self After Shooting Two Peers at School/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A student opened fire at Evergreen High School in Colorado, injuring two peers before fatally shooting himself. Law enforcement responded within minutes, and no officers discharged their weapons. The motive remains unknown as the community reels from the tragedy.
Colorado School Shooting Leaves One Dead – Quick Looks
- Shooting occurred around 12:30 p.m. at Evergreen High School
- Student shooter injured two classmates before turning the gun on himself
- The shooter died later from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Police arrived within five minutes; no officers fired shots
- Over 100 law enforcement personnel responded to the scene
- One of the wounded teens is now in stable condition
- School has over 900 students, located near the Rocky Mountains
- Students took shelter in nearby homes after escaping
- Parents gathered at elementary school to reunite with children
- Incident evokes memories of the 1999 Columbine massacre in same county
Deep Look: Colorado Student Shoots Two Classmates, Then Himself at Evergreen High
DENVER, CO — A tragic school shooting unfolded Wednesday at Evergreen High School, a quiet campus nestled in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain foothills. Authorities confirmed that a student opened fire on two classmates before fatally shooting himself in what law enforcement described as a swift and shocking act of violence.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m., with shots fired both inside and outside the school building. Within five minutes of receiving emergency calls, officers were on the scene and located the shooter.
Despite the rapid response, the student shooter had already turned the weapon—a handgun—on himself. Officials later confirmed that no officers discharged their weapons during the response.
Two Students Shot, Shooter Dies by Suicide
The two injured students were transported to St. Anthony Hospital, where they were initially listed in critical condition, according to hospital CEO Kevin Cullinan. By Wednesday evening, one of the teens was reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, said Dr. Brian Blackwood, the hospital’s trauma director.
The identities and ages of the students involved have not yet been publicly released.
Law enforcement said the shooter was a student at the school but did not provide details about his motive or how he obtained the firearm. Investigations are ongoing.
“Super Scary”: Parents and Students React
In the chaotic aftermath, terrified parents rushed to nearby Wilmot Elementary School, where students were taken for reunification. Wendy Nueman, whose daughter is a sophomore at Evergreen High, described the heart-stopping moment she couldn’t reach her child by phone.
“She just said she was OK. She couldn’t hardly speak,” Nueman told The Denver Post. “It’s super scary. We feel like we live in a little bubble here. Obviously, no one is immune.”
The school is situated in a serene, wooded area roughly 30 miles west of Denver, serving more than 900 students. Evergreen itself is a small community with a population of just under 10,000 residents, known more for its mountain views than for violence.
Local Heroes: Community Opens Doors to Fleeing Students
As gunfire erupted, some students ran from the school and sought refuge in nearby homes. Don Cygan, a retired educator living down the road from the school, said a group of 18 students pounded on his door, pleading for safety.
“I hope they feel like they ran to the right house,” said Cygan, who quickly took charge of the situation. He and his wife—a retired nurse—comforted the traumatized teens, helped them call their parents, and treated some for shock.
Cygan, familiar with school lockdown protocols from his time in education, logged the names of each student and later connected them with their parents.
“One student said he was in the cafeteria when he heard the shots and just ran,” Cygan recalled during a local TV interview.
Echoes of Columbine
The shooting occurred in Jefferson County, the same district that endured the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, where 13 people were killed and more than 20 injured. That event marked a dark turning point in American school safety history and remains a chilling backdrop for any school shooting in the area.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing issue of school violence in the U.S., even in small, seemingly peaceful towns like Evergreen.
No Known Motive, Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not disclosed whether the shooter had specific targets or acted randomly. They have also not revealed whether any disciplinary history or behavioral warning signs were documented prior to the incident.
As of Thursday morning, law enforcement is continuing to interview witnesses, review school surveillance footage, and analyze the shooter’s background, digital footprint, and possible motives.
School officials have not confirmed when Evergreen High School will reopen. Counseling services are being arranged for students, faculty, and families affected by the trauma.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.