A devastating shooting rocked Evergreen High School in suburban Denver on Wednesday, leaving one student dead and two others injured. The incident, which unfolded around 12:30 p.m. in the scenic Rocky Mountain foothills, has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Evergreen, Colorado, located about 30 miles west of Denver.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, a student armed with a handgun opened fire both inside and outside the school, targeting two peers before turning the weapon on himself. The shooter was found by law enforcement within five minutes of their arrival, spokesperson Jacki Kelley confirmed. None of the responding officers discharged their firearms during the incident.
The tragic event saw an overwhelming response from law enforcement, with over 100 officers from surrounding areas rushing to the scene to secure the school and assist those affected. The shooting evoked haunting memories of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the same county, where 14 lives were lost, including a woman who succumbed to related injuries earlier this year.
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The two injured teens were initially listed in critical condition, according to St. Anthony Hospital CEO Kevin Cullinan. By Wednesday evening, one teen had stabilized, with trauma director Dr. Brian Blackwood describing their injuries as non-life-threatening. Details about the victims’ ages or identities were not disclosed, as the investigation remains ongoing.
Evergreen High School, home to over 900 students, is nestled in a forested area just a mile from downtown Evergreen, a small town of 9,300 residents. The serene setting made the violence all the more jarring for locals, many of whom described their community as a “safe bubble” now shattered by tragedy.
Parents flooded to a nearby elementary school to reunite with their children, some of whom fled the scene in panic. Wendy Nueman, whose 15-year-old daughter attends Evergreen High as a sophomore, recounted the terrifying moments after the shooting. “She didn’t answer her phone at first,” Nueman told The Denver Post, fighting back tears. “When she finally called from a friend’s phone, she could barely speak. She just kept saying she was OK.” Nueman’s daughter was among those who ran from the school in fear for their lives.
In a remarkable act of community support, resident Don Cygan and his wife opened their home to 18 students who fled the school. Cygan, a retired educator familiar with lockdown protocols, said the students arrived in distress, some having heard gunshots in the cafeteria. “One kid told me he just ran when he heard the shots,” Cygan told Denver’s KUSA-TV. His wife, a retired nurse, provided comfort and treated the teens for shock, while Cygan recorded their names and coordinated with parents for safe reunions. “I hope they know they came to the right place,” he said.
The shooting has reignited conversations about school safety in Jefferson County, a region scarred by past tragedies. As authorities continue to investigate the motive and circumstances, the Evergreen community grapples with grief and disbelief. Counselors and support services are being deployed to assist students, staff, and families in the days ahead.
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