On September 10, 2025, the tranquil mountain community of Evergreen, Colorado, was shattered by a tragedy that has become all too familiar across the United States: a school shooting. At approximately 12:24 p.m., 16-year-old Desmond Holly, a student at Evergreen High School, opened fire inside the school, critically wounding two classmates before turning the gun on himself. The incident, which unfolded in a matter of minutes, has left the town reeling and searching for answers amid grief, shock, and calls for action.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the violence began as Holly moved through the school with a revolver, firing repeatedly at windows, lockers, and, most devastatingly, at fellow students. Authorities described the weapon as a revolver that was "fired a lot," with Holly reloading several times during the attack. The chaos was punctuated by the sound of gunfire echoing through the halls, sending students and staff scrambling for safety. Some students fled to nearby buildings, while others barricaded themselves in locked classrooms—a move that officials say saved lives.
Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, credited the school’s lockdown drills and the quick thinking of students and staff for preventing further tragedy. "Lots of kids and teachers locked down in those rooms, did what they were supposed to do, and we know that it saved lives," Kelley said during a press conference. "They’re heroes." The school resource officer normally assigned to Evergreen High was not on campus at the time, having left earlier to respond to a nearby accident—a twist of fate described by Kelley as "horrible timing." Despite this, the school’s safety protocols held firm.
As law enforcement arrived on scene, they found three students in critical condition, including the shooter. Holly succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Lakewood hospital later that day. The two other victims, one identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone and another whose name has not been released, remained hospitalized in critical condition as of September 11. The family of Silverstone, through a statement shared by the sheriff’s office, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and 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."
Investigators have since been working tirelessly to piece together Holly’s motives and the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Sheriff’s officials revealed that Holly was "radicalized by some extremist network," though the specifics of that network are still under investigation. According to The Denver Post and The Colorado Sun, a review of social media accounts linked to Holly uncovered a disturbing pattern: white supremacist content, antisemitic posts, and videos featuring Nazi imagery. Holly also reposted TikToks about the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and, in a chilling echo, was seen in photos wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word "WRATH"—the same as Columbine shooter Eric Harris.
Perhaps most unsettling was a post made about an hour before the shooting on X (formerly Twitter): a photo of a small revolver over a table with a box of ammunition, posted without comment. Days earlier, Holly had posted the same image with the caption, "little .38 special I got." Authorities confirmed that the revolver used in the attack matched the weapon in Holly’s social media posts. However, questions remain about how Holly obtained the firearm. Federal law prohibits handgun purchases by those under 21, and Colorado law requires safe storage of firearms. Officials are investigating whether Holly’s parents knew of his access to the weapon and how it was stored at home.
The FBI, alongside local law enforcement and the NCIS, has joined the investigation, deploying evidence response teams to process the numerous crime scenes both inside and outside the school. The shooting spilled onto a street behind the school, further complicating the investigation. "Most importantly, our thoughts continue to be with the two victims injured in the shooting and all those who have been impacted by this horrific attack," said FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement shared on social media.
In the aftermath, Evergreen High School and several other area schools remained closed for the week. The Jefferson County School Board canceled its scheduled meeting to allow members and district employees to attend one of at least seven vigils held across Evergreen, Indian Hills, and Golden. Thousands of students, parents, and community members gathered at parks, churches, and community centers to mourn, support one another, and try to make sense of the violence that had upended their lives. "This is the scariest thing you’d think could ever happen," said sheriff’s spokesperson Jacki Kelley, echoing the disbelief felt by many in the community.
The ripple effects of the shooting were felt beyond Evergreen. On September 11, law enforcement agencies in Boulder Valley and Douglas County responded to reports of potential threats, leading to temporary lockdowns and heightened anxiety among students and parents. In both cases, no credible threats were found, but the incidents underscored the pervasive sense of vulnerability that now haunts Colorado schools.
Governor Jared Polis expressed his devastation in a statement: "My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they grapple with this senseless act of violence." The governor’s words resonated across a state that has endured multiple high-profile mass shootings in recent years, including tragedies at Columbine, a Boulder grocery store, and a Colorado Springs nightclub.
As investigators continue to search Holly’s home, phone, and school locker, the community of Evergreen is left to process both the horror of the attack and the troubling signs that preceded it. The revelation that Holly had embraced extremist, conspiratorial, and hate-filled ideologies online has prompted renewed calls for vigilance, mental health support, and action to prevent future tragedies. Local authorities have set up a resource and information center at Bergen Meadows Elementary School to support students, families, and staff, offering mental health services, victims’ advocates, and a space for the community to begin healing.
For now, Evergreen’s focus remains on recovery and resilience. The families of the victims, especially the Silverstones, have asked for privacy as they navigate the difficult days ahead. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement promising to release more details as they become available. In the meantime, the community stands united in grief, determined to support one another and ensure that the lessons learned from this tragedy are not forgotten.
