NEED TO KNOW
- A shooting broke out at Colorado’s Evergreen High School on Wednesday, Sept. 10
- The shooter, identified as 16-year-old Desmond Holly, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Two students were wounded, including 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone
One of the two students wounded as a result of a school shooting at Colorado’s Evergreen High School on Wednesday, Sept. 10, has been identified.
A day after 16-year-old Desmond Holly opened fire at the high school located in Evergreen, Colo., about 30 miles southwest of Denver, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has identified one of the two students who were wounded as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone.
The sheriff’s office revealed the teenager’s identity online next to a photo of him and a statement from his family on Thursday, Sept. 11.
“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 statement said.
According to the sheriff’s office, the identity of the second victim will not be released as the family is asking for privacy.
One of the victims remains at St. Anthony’s Hospital, while the other has been moved to the Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, KUSA reported on Thursday afternoon. One of the two victims remains in critical condition while the other has non-life-threatening injuries, per the outlet.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Holly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Jacki Kelley, a public information officer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said in a press conference on Thursday morning that Holly had been “radicalized by some extremist network,” per Denver7.
Kelley added that Holly, who had taken a bus to school that morning, used a revolver in the attack and had “quite a bit of ammunition.”
“The suspect’s gun was fired a lot,” said Kelley, per the outlet. “The reason we have so many crime scenes is because we have windows that were shot up, we have lockers that were shot up. We have spent rounds, unspent rounds. It’s a huge area.”
One of the victims was shot inside the school while the other was shot outside, Kelley said, per the New York Times.
Over 100 law enforcement personnel responded to the high school following reports of the shooting.
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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis responded to the incident in a post on X writing, “My heart is with the students, families, and entire Evergreen community after today’s tragic shooting. No young person should have to carry this kind of trauma, and help is available.”
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