Authorities have identified the shooter in Wednesday’s tragic Evergreen High School attack as 16-year-old student Desmond Holly. The incident, which has shaken the Colorado community to its core, left two classmates wounded before Holly turned the gun on himself.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Holly’s identity during a press briefing late Wednesday evening, revealing that investigators believe he may have been radicalized by an extremist network online. While officials have stopped short of naming the specific group or ideology, they said evidence uncovered so far points to a disturbing influence on the teenager’s mindset.
“We’re looking at a motive, we don’t have one yet,” one official stated. “But what we can say is that he was radicalized by some extremist network. The details of that will be down the road, but we wanted to give you that much about maybe a mindset for him.”
The Attack
According to authorities, the shooting began just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday inside the school’s main hallway. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots ring out before chaos erupted, with students rushing to barricade classrooms and teachers guiding panicked teenagers to safety.
Two students were struck by gunfire and are currently being treated at a nearby hospital. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed, though officials confirmed that both survived the initial attack.
Holly then reportedly turned the firearm on himself. By the time law enforcement entered the building, the shooter was already dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Community in Shock
The news has left Evergreen residents stunned, struggling to process how a 16-year-old boy—described by some classmates as “quiet” and “withdrawn”—could carry out such violence. “It doesn’t feel real,” said one student who witnessed the aftermath. “He was in some of my classes. Nobody thought he’d do something like this.”
Parents gathered outside the high school during the lockdown described the agonizing wait for information as “the longest hours of our lives.” Many were later reunited with their children in designated safe zones, but the fear and trauma of the incident remain palpable.
The Question of Radicalization
Perhaps the most alarming element to emerge so far is the claim that Holly had been influenced by extremist content. Officials did not provide specifics, but the sheriff’s office indicated that digital evidence, including online activity and communications, will play a key role in the ongoing investigation.
Experts warn that teenagers are increasingly vulnerable to radicalization through online forums, extremist propaganda, and targeted recruitment. “This is not an isolated problem,” said one security analyst. “The accessibility of extremist networks online makes it far too easy for young people to be pulled into dangerous ideologies.”
Moving Forward
Counselors and trauma specialists have been dispatched to Evergreen High School to provide support for students and staff. Classes have been canceled for the remainder of the week as the community begins the long process of recovery.
Governor Jared Polis released a statement condemning the attack and pledging resources to help the victims and their families. “Our hearts are with the Evergreen community tonight. No parent should have to fear for their child’s safety at school,” the governor said.
The FBI and local sheriff’s office are continuing to investigate, with a particular focus on how Holly may have gained access to the firearm and the extent of his online radicalization. For now, Evergreen remains a town in mourning, grappling with the haunting question of how a teenager could be led down such a violent path.
