Law enforcement officials have identified [1] the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado as 16-year-old Desmond Holly.
The attack left three students wounded before Holly turned the gun on himself, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacki Kelley, public information officer with the sheriff’s office, said Holly brought a revolver with him on the school bus. He later opened fire during the lunch period, striking two classmates.
Some students were locked down in classrooms while others fled the building as the incident unfolded.
“The Evergreen High School shooter has been identified as 16-year-old Desmond Holly,” Kelley confirmed.
The Evergreen High School shooter has been identified as 16 year-old Desmond Holly. pic.twitter.com/h0tXtrUYvj [2]
— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) September 11, 2025 [3]
Officials have not determined what motivated Holly to carry out the shooting.
It remains unclear how many rounds he fired or whether he knew the victims.
Kelley noted that the revolver’s limited capacity may have prevented additional casualties.
“I have to believe when you bring a gun to school and you continue to fire and reload and fire and reload that you are on a mission and we are grateful that he was less successful, but we’re devastated that he was successful at all,” she said.
Kelley also said investigators believe Holly may have been “radicalized by some extremist network.”
Media update for Evergreen High School shootings. https://t.co/HQyt3gOLDY [4]
— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) September 11, 2025 [5]
Authorities are considering possible charges against his parents for allowing him access to the firearm.
One of the victims, 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, is recovering from his injuries.
His family released a statement: “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.”
This is a statement from the family of 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, one of the victims from the shootings at Evergreen High School:
“The family appreciates the community’s concern and support, but as we remain focused on our loved one’s recovery, we respectfully request… pic.twitter.com/FYfqBQtgWC [6]
— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) September 11, 2025 [7]
The revolver was discharged multiple times inside and outside the school building, with evidence of damage throughout the campus and nearby areas.
“We have windows shot out, we have lockers that were shot up. We’re finding spent rounds and unspent rounds. It’s a huge area, and the school is three levels,” Kelley said.
Videos posted to social media showed hundreds of law enforcement officers responding to the scene.
BREAKING: Active shooter situation reported at Evergreen High School near Denver.
This is overlapping with the breaking news of Charlie Kirk’s shooting in Utah.
America is simply broken. pic.twitter.com/UhY8LohU5u [8]
— Devin Duke (@sirDukeDevin) September 10, 2025 [9]
Local authorities credited the quick actions of school staff and emergency responders with limiting further injuries.
The school is expected to remain closed into next week to allow for repairs to damaged property and to provide time for the community to recover.
Evergreen is located about 30 miles west of Denver.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including Holly’s potential connections to extremist groups and how he obtained the weapon.