Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office respond to a shooting at Evergreen High School near Denver on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the JCSO
Sept. 10 (UPI) — Three students were injured Wednesday after a gunman opened fire at a Denver-area high school, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said, later adding that the suspect had died.
The shooting happened at around 12:34 p.m. MDT at Evergreen High School, JCSO spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said in a news briefing.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday night that the suspect, a male student, had died from “self-inflicted injuries.”
Authorities initially said the suspect had been injured, but it wasn’t revealed who was responsible. The JCSO said it didn’t believe law enforcement fired any bullets and Kelley declined to provide any details such as a name, age or gender about the shooter due to his age.
“I don’t know if our suspect is even old enough to drive,” she said during the briefing.
Three of the students, including the suspected shooter, were transported to CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colo., in critical condition. A fourth student was also taken to the hospital, but the cause of their injuries was unclear.
Police evacuated the high school, transporting the student body of about 900 to a reunification point at Bergen Meadow Elementary School. The JCSO said officials cleared Evergreen High School and there was no further threat to the community.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement saying his “heart” goes out to the victims and their families.
“I, the Evergreen community and the entire State of Colorado are devastated by this and will keep the victims, as well as their friends and family, in our thoughts,” he said.
“This kind of violence has no place in Colorado, especially our schools where kids should feel safe to lear and grow.”