A shooting at Evergreen High School today left four students injured, three of them critically, including the suspected shooter. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two students suffered gunshot wounds. It’s still unclear whether the shooter was injured by self-infliction.
The third injured student’s condition is not clear yet. Additionally, a fourth juvenile was hospitalized after getting hurt while trying to escape to a nearby elementary school.
“This is terrifying,” said Jacki Kelley, a public information officer with the sheriff’s office. “I honestly don’t know if our suspect is old enough to drive.” More than 100 police officers responded to the scene.
So far, officials haven’t released details about what prompted the shooting or whether there were multiple shooters involved. The gun used was a handgun, and police are looking for any letters that might explain the attack. The shooting appears to have taken place outside the school grounds.
The school houses about 900 students and is located about 28 miles southwest of Denver.
On social media, many are expressing their shock and disbelief. A mother of a freshman, Jen Weber, recounted her own horror when she received a message from her son saying there was a shooting. “It was always a matter of ‘when, not if,'” she reflected. “I just never thought it would happen here in Evergreen.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis stated he is closely following developments and stressed the need for safety in schools. “Students should be able to attend school without fear,” he said, as federal law enforcement joined in the investigation.
The community gathered at Bergen Meadow Elementary School to reunite with their children. Families waited anxiously in long lines, embracing their kids with tears of relief.
In response to this tragedy, the Jefferson County Education Association issued a statement, urging leaders to take meaningful action against gun violence in schools. “We cannot become numb. We cannot accept this as normal,” the statement read.
As the investigation unfolds, the community struggles with the aftermath of another school shooting, which echoes the painful memories of the Columbine tragedy in 1999.
This latest incident adds to the alarming trend of school shootings in the U.S. According to recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the frequency and severity of school violence have increased in recent years, prompting calls for stronger safety measures.
The Evergreen High School shooting marks yet another chapter in a tragic story that the country desperately hopes to rewrite. For the affected families, the road to recovery will be long and challenging.
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