Shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado leaves 2 students hurt; suspect injured by self-inflicted gunshot wound

Two students were wounded on Wednesday in a shooting at Evergreen High School in the Colorado foothills. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect is also in the hospital with injuries from self-inflicted shots.

The shooting took place just before 12:30 p.m. at the school located at 29300 Buffalo Park Road in Evergreen, which is 28 miles southwest of Denver.

Jacki Kelley, the Public Information Officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters they began receiving numerous calls about a shooting at the school at 12:24 p.m. She later stated that deputies were on the scene within 2 minutes and made contact with the shooter within 5 minutes. She said no law enforcement officers fired any weapons.

“The first on scene — they were at the school — were pretty quick to find our suspect,” Kelley said.

A preliminary investigation showed the firing of shots took place inside and outside of the school building. Kelley said the suspect used a handgun and that numerous students witnessed the shooting. She didn’t elaborate on how the juvenile male suspect received his injuries.

St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood said there are three Evergreen High School students at the hospital who suffered gunshot wounds. Two are fighting for life with critical injuries, and one was described as having non-life-threatening injuries.

“We’ve received three victims, all minors from Evergreen High School. They are currently being actively treated at St. Anthony Hospital. We are a Level 1 Trauma Center and prepared for situations like this,” said Kevin Cullinan, President, CEO of CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital. “Each of the victims that we have sustained gunshot wounds. They are all, all three victims are all either in the Emergency Department or operating rooms at this time.” 

Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the Denver metro area responded to help. Kelley said they formed multiple teams, and after the initial chaos they cleared the school room by room. The scene was declared safe after that.

Jefferson County Schools set up a reunification center for parents and guardians at Bergen Meadow Elementary School, located at 1928 South Hiwan Drive. Those with students at Evergreen High School were encouraged to go to the reunification center, not the high school.

“Reunification, I don’t know if it went really well, it was bumpy because (after the shots were fired) we had kids running in every direction — to the library, to the substation, to a couple different schools,” Kelley said.

“One of the biggest concerns … was making sure that these students get back with their families,” said Sheriff Reggie Marinelli. “And so that reunification was huge to us. As many of you I’m sure experienced, getting up here — with the road conditions, with all the first responders getting up here — it got a little congested, but we made it work because of all that preparation and that training that we have been doing for many years.”  

Shortly following the shooting, an Evergreen High School teacher told CBS Colorado that they were on lockdown with some students inside a game room in the school. Just after 1:30 p.m., people could be seen exiting the school single file.

A mother who spoke with CBS Colorado said her son was near a door when the shooting happened. The Evergreen High School freshman was in the lunchroom when he said he heard 15 to 30 gunshots.

“I know they’ve done drills at school in classrooms, but they were at lunch,” the woman explained. “So that’s what, something that many students have said is that they just didn’t even know what to do, like a lockdown drill, with this happening at lunch.”

She suggested that parents talk to their students about this kind of scenario and what actions they should take. “Obviously, you don’t think it’s going to happen at your school or to your child, then it happens in your backyard and you’re shocked. But it seems to be happening so much that we shouldn’t be shocked, I guess.”

Her son said he wants the victims to know that everyone is thinking of them and hoping they will be okay.

Jeffco Public Schools canceled after-school activities in order to “prioritize local and district resources to support the Evergreen community.”

“The strength of the Jeffco community lies in the care and support of one another. Please check in with your loved ones,” district officials said in a prepared statement.

Following the shooting, Highway 73 was closed in the area near Evergreen Lake for several hours, but by 5:15 p.m. it was back open.  

Gov. Jared Polis and several other elected leaders in Colorado issued statements after the shooting expressing deep concern. “We are all praying for the victims and the entire community,” Polis said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI is among the law enforcement agencies who are at the scene of the shooting.

“We’re aware of the tragic situation unfolding near Denver. The FBI is on scene and in full support of local authorities to ensure everyone’s safety,” Patel wrote in a post on X.

Officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also are on scene.