The suspected gunman in a shooting at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, Wednesday has died after three students were injured, according to authorities.
The shooter, who also attended the school, and two of the injured students were immediately transported to the hospital, Jacki Kelley, public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters.
A fourth young person was also transported to the hospital, Kelley said, but she could not confirm what the injury was or whether it happened on school property.
She told reporters the three students who were transported immediately from the school suffered from gunshot wounds, and they were in critical condition.
Authorities later identified the suspected shooter as a young man, but did not name him. A handgun was used in the shooting, according to Kelley.
The sheriff’s office said in an update on social media Wednesday night the suspected gunman died from “self-inflicted injuries.”
At 12:24 p.m. local time, police received their first call about the shooting from the high school, which has more than 900 students enrolled. Kelley said it seems the shooting happened on school grounds, but outside of the building.
“We are still trying to determine where are crime scenes are and if we have crime scenes within the school,” Kelley said late Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers responded to the shooting. A West Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson told FOX31 it sent two ambulances, four medical staff and one chief. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also responded to the scene.
When asked about law enforcement’s quick response, Kelley said, “Police and fire just show up. When you hear the words active shooter and you know that there’s kids involved, you’re coming.”
The campus was under lockdown as officials conducted a thorough sweep of the area. Kelley said the school was “clear” late Wednesday afternoon, adding, “There is no active threat to the community or to our students anymore.”
Jeffco Public Schools said in a letter to staff and parents, which was shared by FOX31, “Our school has been placed on a Lockdown for police activity in the area. Please remain out of the area. We will update you as soon as we learn more.”
A parent-student reunification location was set up at Bergen Meadow Elementary School at 1928 Hiwan Drive, but it has since closed.
When asked about the response from the students’ parents to the shooting, Kelley said, “This is the scariest thing that you could ever think could happen, and these parents were really frightened and so were the kids.”
Wendy Nueman, whose 15-year-old daughter is a sophomore at the school, called the situation “super scary” in comments to The Denver Post.
She said her daughter was able to eventually call her from a borrowed phone.
“She just said she was OK. She couldn’t hardly speak,” Nueman said. “We feel like we live in a little bubble here. Obviously, no one is immune.”
Jefferson County is also where the Columbine school shooting occurred in 1999, which saw 12 students and one teacher killed. Another student, who was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting, died in February, and the coroner ruled her death a homicide, per The New York Times.
“I know we always say not again, and here we are,” Kelley said.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X late Wednesday afternoon, “We’re aware of the tragic situation unfolding near Denver. The FBI is on scene and in full support of local authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis wrote on X earlier Wednesday, “I am closely monitoring the situation at Evergreen High School, and am getting live updates.
“State Troopers are supporting local law enforcement in responding to this situation. Students should be able to attend school safely and without fear across our state and nation. We are all praying for the victims and the entire community.”
The X account for Black Lives Matter said, “Our hearts ache for the students, families, and educators in Denver.
“Too many tragedies, back to back. Our children deserve better. This system keeps failing them, but where it falls short, we rise as a community to confront it and demand change. Enough is enough.”
