Teen Shooter Identified in Evergreen High School Attack; Two Students Critically Wounded

Evergreen, Colorado September 12, 2025 – Authorities have identified 16-year-old Desmond Holly as the suspect in last Wednesday's shooting at Evergreen High School, where he allegedly opened fire with a revolver, injuring two students before taking his own life. The incident, which unfolded around 12:30 p.m. on school property and spilled into nearby streets, has left the tight-knit community reeling, with schools closed and local businesses stepping up to support affected students.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jacki Kelley described the harrowing scene during a Thursday afternoon press conference, emphasizing the shooter's determination. "The suspect’s gun was fired a lot," Kelley said. "He entered the school with a revolver and fired and reloaded 'on and on and on.' I have to believe when you bring a gun to school and you continue to fire and reload, you are on a mission. We are grateful that he was less successful, but we are devastated that he was successful at all."

Holly, who arrived at school by bus that morning, faced "roadblocks" such as locked doors but managed to navigate the three-story building, where surveillance cameras captured the entire event. Investigators are reviewing footage, including bodycam videos from responding officers, though none will be released publicly at this time. Officials have not determined how Holly obtained the handgun or smuggled it into the school. While his parents are cooperating fully with the investigation, Kelley noted that "everything is on the table" regarding potential accountability.

Three minors, including Holly, were initially rushed to hospitals with critical injuries. Holly died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, while the two surviving victims remain in critical condition. One victim has been identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone. In a statement shared by the sheriff's office, Silverstone's family expressed gratitude for community support but requested privacy: "The family appreciates the community’s concern and support, but as we remain focused on our loved one’s recovery, we respectfully request privacy as we continue to heal and navigate the road ahead."

Initial reports of a fourth injury and one victim being released from the hospital Thursday morning were incorrect, Kelley clarified. One additional person sustained minor injuries during the chaos, but details remain limited. St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, a Level 1 trauma center with a history of treating victims from school shootings like Columbine in 1999 and Platte Canyon in 2006, confirmed one victim was still in critical condition as of Thursday morning. Dr. Brian Blackwood, the hospital's director of trauma, spoke to the broader impact: "It’s really hard. I try to be straight to the point. As a father, myself, I can put myself in their shoes. Unfortunately, these events don’t just affect the patient, it affects the families, the friends of the patients, the schools, the community, and we want to be mindful of all of those people."

The shooting prompted a massive response, with over 100 officers from multiple jurisdictions evacuating and clearing the school within 90 minutes. FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media that agents were on scene to support local authorities. Jefferson County officials first alerted the public via social media just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, warning of an active shooter near the school. Jeffco Public Schools later confirmed the incident occurred outside the building in an email to parents.

In the aftermath, a somber atmosphere enveloped the reunification site at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, where anxious parents embraced loved ones amid tears and disrupted traffic. Students recounted their experiences but declined interviews. Governor Jared Polis issued a statement Wednesday evening: "I, the Evergreen Community, and the entire State of Colorado are devastated by this tragedy and will keep the victims, as well as their friends and family, in our thoughts. This kind of violence has absolutely no place in Colorado or anywhere, especially our schools, where kids should feel safe to learn and grow. No family should ever fear for their child’s life as they send them to school."

Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland echoed the sentiment: "We cannot pretend this is just another tragic incident. The pain of this incident reopens old wounds. I know there are many in our Jeffco community hurting and grieving tonight, in Evergreen and beyond. The urgency this moment demands is undeniable. Student safety is not an abstract issue for us in Jeffco. It is the most important responsibility we hold. Safety is our number one priority every day, and yet, here we are once again, grieving with a community over gun violence impacting our students."

Evergreen High School, home to about 900 students, remains closed, along with nine other schools in the area between Evergreen and Conifer: Conifer High School, Evergreen Middle School, West Jefferson Middle School, and elementary schools including Bergen, Wilmot, Parmalee, Elk Creek, Marshdale, and West Jefferson. Officials indicated the high school might reopen next week but could stay shuttered longer.

Notably, the school's full-time school resource officer (SRO) was on medical leave at the time, with part-time officers filling in. One had left around 10:30 a.m. to handle a nearby crash, leaving none on site during the attack. "Horrible timing, of course," Kelley said, adding that shared SROs serve nearby schools, with potential plans for more full-time positions.

Downtown Evergreen reflected the community's grief on Thursday, with quiet sidewalks and subdued interactions. Yet, signs of resilience emerged as local businesses rallied. The Wildflower Cafe offered free pancakes to Evergreen High students, drawing groups who gathered under rainy skies to process the trauma. The Lazy Butcher provided free smash burgers, while Beau Jo’s Pizza pledged 20% of weekend sales to the school. Students at the cafe speculated about Holly's motives but avoided speaking on record.

"This is the scariest thing that could happen. We always say, ‘Not again.’ But here we are," Kelley said Wednesday. "These parents are really frightened, so are the kids."



A motive remains unclear, and the investigation continues. Authorities urged the public to respect the privacy of victims and families as the community begins to heal.

This is a developing story and will be updated.