A 16-year-old student who opened fire at his Colorado high school on Wednesday, wounding two classmates before turning the gun on himself, was believed to have been “radicalized by some extremist network,” according to local sheriff’s officials.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the gunfire at Evergreen High School began around 12:24 p.m. local time.
According to the sheriff’s office, three students were taken to the hospital in critical condition as a result of the gunfire, including the suspected shooter, who suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the suspect’s death in a social media post on Wednesday evening.
Desmond Holly, 16, has been identified as the suspect, Jefferson County Sheriff officials announced at a press conference on Thursday. Authorities also released an image of the shooter.
Officials identified the weapon as a revolver that had been “fired a lot.” Shots were fired at windows and lockers, authorities said Thursday.
The suspect allegedly went through the school trying to “find new targets,” but ran into “roadblocks” when doors were locked and he couldn’t continue shooting victims, according to the sheriff’s department.
While authorities continue to investigate the shooter’s motive, they believe he was “radicalized by some extremist network” and had a “mission,” according to officials. Authorities said they’re trying to better understand that network and are searching his phone, home, and locker to learn more about who he was communicating with prior to the shooting.
On Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that a “evidence response team and other specialty resources” had been deployed “as part of our response to this incident.”
“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,” Patel wrote in an X.com post.
The sheriff’s office stated on Thursday that “no one has been released” from the hospital, despite previous reports from hospital officials that one of the injured had been released.
Previously, authorities said on Wednesday that a fourth student was taken to the hospital with an unknown injury, but the sheriff’s office said on Thursday that they “think it’s just three” who were hurt.
The family of one of the shooting victims, 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, said they “appreciate the community’s concern and support” and “remain focused on our loved one’s recovery.” They also asked for privacy while they “continue to heal and navigate the road ahead.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis stated on Wednesday that he was “devastated” by the shooting.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families as they grapple with this senseless act of violence,” Mr. Polis said.
Following the shooting, the school was placed on lockdown, and officials searched the campus.
“This is the scariest thing you’d think could ever happen,” Jefferson County sheriff spokesperson Jacki Kelley told a news conference on Wednesday.
Investigators said they have contacted the suspect’s family and are “looking into” the weapon’s ownership.
It is unclear whether this was a targeted or unintentional attack, officials said.
The FBI and NCIS are assisting in the investigation of numerous crime scenes both inside and outside the school, with the shooting spilling onto a nearby street, according to the sheriff’s office.
Hundreds of police officers were on the scene after the shooting, searching every room on campus, according to law enforcement.
The sheriff’s department said lockdown drills saved lives yesterday when students locked themselves in classrooms as instructed.
“The students and staff were incredible. They did their job well. “Lives were saved yesterday,” Kelli stated on Thursday.
