Tragic Shooting at Colorado High School Claims Life of Student

DENVER -- A tragic incident unfolded at Evergreen High School, located in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, where a student opened fire on two peers before turning the gun on himself. The shooting occurred around 12:30 p.m., prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.

Authorities confirmed that the shooter was found within five minutes of officers arriving on the scene. There were reports of gunfire both inside and outside the school premises. Despite the rapid response, none of the responding officers discharged their weapons during the incident, according to a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence in schools, echoing the tragic events of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals.

The two injured teens were initially reported to be in critical condition, with their ages not disclosed. However, by early evening, one of them was said to be stable, suffering from injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.

Evergreen High School, which has an enrollment of over 900 students, is situated about a mile from the town center of Evergreen, a community with approximately 9,300 residents. Following the shooting, parents gathered anxiously near a local elementary school to reunite with their children.

One parent recounted her experience, sharing that her daughter, a sophomore, was unable to answer her phone initially. When she finally managed to contact her mother, she expressed that she was safe but was visibly shaken after fleeing the scene.

In the wake of the shooting, a group of 18 students sought refuge in a nearby home, where the resident welcomed them after they knocked on the door seeking help. The homeowner, a retired educator, documented the names of the students and their parents as they arrived to pick them up. His wife, a former nurse, provided comfort and care to the students, helping them cope with the traumatic experience.

The community has been left in shock, grappling with the realization that such violence can occur even in what they perceive as a safe environment.