Act Now: Evergreen High and the National Gun Crisis

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the town of Evergreen, Colorado, was forever changed when gun violence sent shockwaves throughout its community. At approximately 12:24 pm, a 16-year-old student of Evergreen High School opened fire in the school with a handgun, wounding two fellow students before fatally shooting himself. The attacker was later identified as Desmond Holly, who authorities later revealed had been “radicalized” and came to school with “quite a bit of ammunition.” The sheriff’s office reported that there were hundreds of witnesses to the tragic event, many of whom fled the scene, with some running to nearby neighborhoods where they knocked on homes asking for shelter. The school, whose student body is approximately 900 (per the Department of Education), was placed into active lockdown almost as soon as the first shots rang out, while law enforcement was still responding to the scene.
One of the victims has been identified as 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, whose family released a statement through the sheriff’s office expressing appreciation for community support while asking for privacy during their loved one’s recovery. Both students wounded in the attack initially remained in critical condition, though current reports indicate their conditions may have stabilized. The shooter died Wednesday night from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement noted that his social media accounts featured antisemitic posts and references to mass shootings. According to experts, the suspect appeared fascinated with previous mass shootings, including the 1999 Columbine massacre (which killed 13 students and one teacher, also in Colorado).
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy and determine whether the victims were specifically targeted. “One of the biggest concerns was making sure that these students get back with their families,” said Sheriff Reggie Marinelli. The tragedy marks at least the 7th school shooting in Colorado since the devastating Columbine, reigniting discussions about the ongoing challenge of preventing violence in educational environments.
The effects of this tragedy extend far beyond Evergreen, Colorado, however. This shooting fits a painful pattern we’ve seen lately. The August 27th attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis and the September 10th Evergreen shooting both involved young attackers whose online posts praised past mass killers, and investigators say those online networks helped feed their plans. These events don’t just hurt the victims; they spread fear through schools and neighborhoods and can inspire copycats or waves of threats. According to the CDC, firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens. Evergreen’s tragedy is part of a national crisis that will continue to repeat itself unless communities, tech platforms, and policymakers act together.
Ultimately, Evergreen’s shooting is more than a tragedy; it’s a warning. When violent online content, easy access to guns, and untreated pain meet in one person, the result can be devastating. We owe the victims and their families real actions: safer gun storage and stronger background checks, more school-based mental-health care, and “tech giants” that stop the spread of praise for violence. Change won’t be instant or simple, but doing nothing assures more tragedy. If we want our schools and neighborhoods to be safe, the choice is clear: act to protect our children, or accept that this will happen again.