The Evergreen community in Colorado has been thrust into a period of mourning and reflection following a devastating shooting at Evergreen High School on September 10, 2025. The incident, which left two students critically wounded and the 16-year-old shooter, Desmond Holly, dead by suicide, has sent shockwaves through this tight-knit mountain town and reignited urgent questions about youth radicalization, school safety, and communal resilience.
According to local authorities, the tragedy unfolded swiftly within the halls of Evergreen High, a school attended by roughly 900 students. Desmond Holly, a sophomore, opened fire on his classmates before turning the gun on himself. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office later confirmed that Holly had been "radicalized by an extremist network," though officials refrained from naming any particular group. As investigators continue to comb through evidence, Holly’s digital footprint has become a focal point. His social media accounts reportedly featured white supremacist imagery, antisemitic rhetoric, and repeated references to the infamous Columbine massacre. Some posts even echoed symbols used by previous mass shooters, indicating not just influence but a troubling glorification of extremist violence, as reported by multiple sources including CPR News.
For Evergreen, a community more accustomed to tranquil mountain vistas than national headlines, the aftermath has been surreal. On September 11, just one day after the shooting, hundreds gathered at Buchanan Ball Fields for a vigil that looked, at a glance, like a typical late-summer barbecue. But beneath the white tents and among the food trucks, a palpable sense of grief and unity hung in the air. Elk wandered through the parking lot as residents, students, and teachers came together to share hugs, tears, and words of support.
Stacee Martin, assistant chief of Evergreen Fire Rescue, was among the first responders to arrive at the school. She described the heartbreak of responding to a tragedy so close to home. "You never think it’s going to happen in your own community," Martin said, her voice heavy with emotion. "These are all our kids. I've been in our fire department for 20 years, so I've watched a lot of our firefighters have these kiddos and they've all grown up around me, so I feel like I'm their aunt and it's really hard. We're all hurting, hurting for our community. We're hurting for the families, we're hurting for the students. We're hurting for anyone involved in this, and that includes ourselves."
Stories of panic and bravery have emerged from students who fled the building. Toni and Tori Fedora, twin juniors at the school, recounted eating lunch in the cafeteria when the gunshots rang out. "The only two things on my mind was to run, but also to find Tori because we got separated a little bit," Toni said. Once reunited, the sisters ran together off campus and sought shelter in a nearby home, one of many that opened their doors to frightened students. Their mother, Dawn Fedora, remembered the chilling phone call she received from her daughter: "I got a phone call from a random number that I didn't recognize. But I answered it and it was Toni and she was crying and she said, 'Mom, there's an active shooter, we ran out of the school, we're in somebody's house, we're hiding in the shower.' And it just hit me like cold water. I was almost numb. Those angels that live in that neighborhood that opened their doors to all the students and brought them in and kept them safe. I can't be more grateful to our Evergreen community."
Another parent, Amanda Groute, whose son just started as a freshman at Evergreen High School, shared how her child was among those who ran into the nearby forest to escape. "In the three weeks we've been at school, we've already loved the school and felt it feels like home. And so it's very hard," she said. Groute emphasized the resilience of the community: "I look around tonight and there was one troubled person, and there are hundreds and thousands of people in this community that are good. And that's what I keep at the front of my mind."
One of the victims, 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, remains hospitalized. His family issued a statement through local media: "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." The family of the other wounded student has not released any information publicly.
As the community grapples with the trauma, local and state leaders have stepped forward to offer support and guidance. Colorado Governor Jared Polis addressed the crowd at the vigil, acknowledging the pain but urging unity: "It's no consolation to say it could have been a lot worse because it's horrific enough — [for] the parents of the kids in the hospital, for all students who will be traumatized from this experience. But by being together, by coming together, by opening your hearts to the love of the people of Colorado, the people of our country are sending through you. I know that you'll be Evergreen strong, Jefferson County strong and return triumph to celebrate the success of your loved ones and your students."
Representative Brittany Pettersen, who flew in from Washington, D.C., praised the faculty and staff of Evergreen High School for their quick thinking during the crisis. "If you could join me in thanking our teachers," Pettersen said. "It was teachers that threw themselves in front of kids — not just saying that they would do anything to save their kids' lives, but actually doing it. And so we are forever grateful for our educators."
State Senator Jessie Danielson, also present at the event, lamented the burden placed on young people. "These young people are really resilient and incredible and strong, and this is not the thing that they should be required to bounce back from. Looking at these young people here tonight, they should have been going to their gymnastics meet or their practice, or family event, or just being at school, not running away from someone with a firearm."
While the investigation into Holly's motives and online radicalization continues, the Evergreen community is focused on recovery. Mental health resources have been prominently highlighted, with officials urging those affected to reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, the Colorado Crisis Services hotline at 1-844-493-8255, or to text "TALK" to 38255. Walk-in counseling and youth-specific programs like I Matter Colorado are also available, recognizing the deep scars such an event can leave—both visible and invisible.
The shooting at Evergreen High School has left a permanent mark on the community, but in the face of tragedy, residents, students, and leaders are finding strength in unity and compassion. As the town works to heal, the hope is that the lessons learned—about vigilance, support, and the dangers of online radicalization—will help prevent future tragedies and foster a safer environment for all.
