Daijiworld Media Network- Colorado
Colorado, Sep 11: A tragic shooting incident rocked Evergreen High School, located in the suburban foothills of Denver, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one student dead and two others injured.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 12.30 pm when a student opened fire inside and outside the school premises before turning the gun on himself. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Jacki Kelley, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that law enforcement officers reached the spot within five minutes of the report. More than 100 police personnel from surrounding areas rushed to secure the campus. She clarified that no officer discharged a weapon during the operation.
The two injured students were initially listed in critical condition, said St. Anthony Hospital CEO Kevin Cullinan. Later, Trauma Director Dr. Brian Blackwood informed that one of them was stable with non-life-threatening injuries. The identities and ages of the victims have not been disclosed.
The school, with more than 900 students, is located just a mile away from Evergreen town centre, a community of around 9,300 residents, and is surrounded by forest areas. The tragedy brought back painful memories of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which also occurred in Jefferson County.
Following the shooting, anxious parents gathered outside a nearby elementary school to reunite with their children. Among them was Wendy Nueman, whose 15-year-old daughter initially could not be reached. “She just said she was OK. She couldn’t hardly speak,” Nueman recalled emotionally, adding that her daughter had fled the building.
Local resident Don Cygan, a retired educator, sheltered 18 fleeing students at his home. “One student said he heard gunshots in the cafeteria and ran out. We took their names and later handed them over to parents,” he said. His wife, a retired nurse, comforted the traumatised teens. “I hope they feel like they ran to the right house,” Cygan added.
The shocking incident has once again raised concerns about campus safety in the United States, where school shootings continue to haunt communities.