On September 10, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, located approximately 30 miles west of Denver. Around 12:30 p.m., a student opened fire, injuring two peers before turning the gun on himself. The incidents involved shots fired both inside and outside the school premises, which led to a swift response from law enforcement.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office reported that they arrived within five minutes of the first calls and quickly located the shooter. Remarkably, none of the responding officers discharged their firearms during the incident. The chaos prompted more than 100 police officers from surrounding areas to mobilize and assist at the scene, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. This incident drew grim parallels to the infamous Columbine High School shooting in 1999, which resulted in 14 fatalities, including a woman who succumbed to her injuries earlier this year.
Initially, both injured teens were reported to be in critical condition at St. Anthony Hospital. However, updates later revealed that one of the students stabilized and was listed with non-life-threatening injuries according to Dr. Brian Blackwood, the hospital's trauma director. Their identities and ages have not been disclosed.
Evergreen High School has a student body of over 900 and is predominantly surrounded by forest, making it seem like a safe community. However, the day of the shooting exposed the vulnerability felt by the residents. Following the gunfire, parents convened outside a nearby elementary school, anxiously awaiting news of their children. Wendy Nueman shared her distressing experience after her 15-year-old daughter, a sophomore, failed to answer calls promptly after the shooting began. When she finally reached her, it was through a borrowed phone, and her daughter reported that she had run from the school, understandably shaken.
As the unfolding situation ensued, one of the students fleeing the shooting found refuge at a local residence. Don Cygan, the homeowner and a retired educator, recounted how 18 students took shelter in his home. They had urgently knocked on his door seeking safety. Cygan, who was familiar with lockdown training, took the students' names and noted those of the parents who came later to pick them up. His wife, a retired nurse, provided support, calming the students and helping them cope with the shock of the incident.
The reaction of the local community reflects a deep sense of fear and disbelief. The sudden nature of such violence in what many perceived as a serene environment left residents reeling. "It’s super scary," Nueman expressed, articulating the sentiment shared by many in the area who believed they lived in a bubble, feeling somewhat immune to such tragic events. The ripple effect of the shooting on the community and the students directly involved is profound, raising questions about safety in schools nationwide.
The situation at Evergreen High School serves as a reminder of the urgent need for continued discussions and actions regarding school safety and mental health resources, as communities grapple with the implications of gun violence in educational settings.
