16-Year-Old Colorado School Shooter Radicalized and Reloaded to Continue Firing at Evergreen High

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 13, 2025

Jefferson County, CO – A tragic and alarming school shooting unfolded Wednesday afternoon at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, when a 16-year-old student, identified as Desmond Holly, opened fire on his classmates. Authorities report that the teenager, described as “radicalized,” relentlessly reloaded his handgun multiple times as he attempted to target more students.

The incident, occurring around 12:24 p.m., sent shockwaves through the local community as students either fled or locked down, confronting a terrifying and chaotic ordeal that left two classmates critically injured.

A Disturbing and Methodical Attack

According to Jacki Kelley, Public Information Officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the shooter’s actions suggested a deliberate and sustained effort to inflict harm.

“He had to keep reloading. He would fire and reload. Fire and reload. Fire and reload. And as he did that, he tried to find new targets,” Kelley detailed.

Kelley further explained that Holly is believed to have been radicalized by an extremist network, though specifics remain undisclosed as the investigation continues. The suspect carried “quite a bit” of ammunition and discharged the revolver repeatedly, causing damage throughout the school environment including broken windows and gunshot holes in lockers.

Two students were shot—one inside the school, another behind the campus in a nearby neighborhood.
One victim has been identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone.
The shooter died from self-inflicted injuries after the incident.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact

The investigation remains active as authorities piece together the details surrounding Holly’s motives and how he acquired the weapon and ammunition. Warrants have been issued for his home, phone, and locker, yielding “valuable information” that could illuminate the motives behind the attack.

“I have to believe when you bring a gun to school and you continue to fire and reload and fire and reload that you are on a mission,” said Kelley. “We are grateful that he was less successful, but we’re devastated that he was successful at all.”

The suspect’s parents have been cooperative with law enforcement. Meanwhile, concerns about school safety in Jefferson County run deep, as this community also endured the infamous Columbine High School shooting in 1999 — one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, with lasting trauma still felt today.

Support and Resources Mobilized

The FBI Denver team is actively assisting in the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed deployment of specialized evidence response units to support local authorities.

“Most importantly, our thoughts continue to be with the two victims injured in the shooting and all those who have been impacted by this horrific attack,” Patel stated.

The absence of a school resource officer during the shooting—who was attending to another incident—has been addressed by police, confirming all policies were followed and emphasizing the difficulty of managing multiple emergencies.

A Community Grappling with Repeated Tragedy

The event has left Jefferson County reeling yet again from the sorrow of gun violence in education settings. Officials and residents alike are calling for renewed focus on prevention and healing.

Efforts to understand how to stop radicalization among youth are underway.
Discussions about school safety protocols and resource deployment are heightened.
Community support networks are converging to aid victims and families.

This deeply troubling incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address underlying causes of such violence. For more details and ongoing updates, visit The Independent’s coverage.

What do you think about this tragic shooting and the challenges of radicalization among youth? Have you or someone you know been impacted by school violence? Share your thoughts in the comments below to help foster awareness and community healing.