Authorities in Colorado have confirmed that the Evergreen High School shooter, identified as 16-year-old Desmond Holly, was radicalized by an extremist network before opening fire on classmates earlier this week. The tragic attack left two students critically injured and ended when Holly turned the weapon on himself.
The shooting unfolded on September 10, 2025, at approximately 12:24 p.m., when Holly entered Evergreen High School armed with a revolver. According to investigators, he fired multiple rounds both inside and outside the school building, striking two students—one in a classroom area and another outside on campus. Both victims were rushed to the hospital and remain in critical condition.
After firing several shots, Holly reloaded multiple times, suggesting that he had intended to inflict greater harm. However, school lockdown procedures and locked doors prevented him from reaching additional victims. Windows and lockers sustained heavy damage, underscoring the chaos of the attack. The shooter ultimately died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
During a press briefing, Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that investigators had uncovered evidence showing Holly was influenced by a radical extremist network. While officials did not disclose the specific group involved, they emphasized that the case highlights the growing dangers of youth radicalization through online platforms and extremist communities.
Law enforcement teams are now combing through Holly’s home, phone records, school locker, and online activity to piece together his path to radicalization. Investigators are also working to determine whether the victims were specifically targeted or chosen at random.
The incident also raised questions about school security. Evergreen’s full-time school resource officer was on medical leave, and part-time officers assigned to the role were not present during the shooting. This absence has reignited debates about security staffing in schools and the preparedness of campuses to handle sudden acts of violence.
Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack, calling it a “heartbreaking reminder of the threats facing our schools and our youth.” He also urged state and federal officials to prioritize strategies for countering extremist influence among teenagers.
The FBI has joined local authorities in the investigation, focusing on identifying the extremist network that played a role in Holly’s radicalization. Officials have yet to disclose whether he acted alone or had deeper ties to extremist groups.
As the community mourns, counselors and crisis response teams have been deployed to Evergreen High School to support students, staff, and families affected by the tragedy. Parents and education leaders have also renewed calls for stronger measures to protect children from both gun violence and online radicalization.
The Evergreen High School shooting adds to the growing list of violent incidents tied to extremist influences on young people, underscoring an urgent need for comprehensive prevention efforts.
