Evergreen shooter ‘radicalized by extremist network’

The shooter at Evergreen High School outside of Denver was “radicalized by some extremist network” before the shooting, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities identified the shooter as Desmond Holly, 16, a student at Evergreen High School in a Sept. 11 news conference. Jacki Kelley, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, did not elaborate on the ideology or how he was radicalized but said law enforcement officials sought warrants for his phone, locker and home. Holly’s family was cooperating, she added.

Kelley said the shooter tried to access several areas of the school, shooting and reloading as he made his way through the building. However, students and teachers successfully locked down portions of the building, cutting off his attempt to advance through the school.

“Students and staff of the school were amazing,” Kelley said. “They did their job. They did it well and lives were saved yesterday because of the actions they took in their lockdown.”

Kelley said police could not say yet how the shooter obtained the gun and if specific people were targeted.

Police are not releasing bodycam or security footage from the school yet.

Two victims still hospitalized, one critical

Kelley said one student was still in critical condition after the shooting and the other student was moved to another hospital but has not been released, contrary to other reports.

Kelley also said reports that another student was injured in an attempt to escape the shooting were incorrect.

The families of the two victims will likely release statements later on Sept. 11, Kelley said.

SRO called away from post before shooting

Evergreen High usually has a full-time school resource officer, but that officer is away on “light duty” for medical reasons, Kelley said.

The position is being covered part-time by other Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and Kelley said the officer covering at Evergreen on Sept. 10 was called away between 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to assist with a traffic matter. The first gunshots were reported from the school at about 12:24 p.m.

“He did nothing wrong,” Kelley said, saying it was normal to have the SRO at Evergreen respond to situations nearby.

Bergen Meadows Elementary School serving as resource and information center, vehicle pickup access point

Bergen Meadows Elementary School will host a resource and information center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12 for members of the Evergreen community. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will provide assistance and can take witness statements, among other services.

Students and staff who parked in the west high school or rec center parking lots can retrieve their cars on Sept. 11. They must go to Bergen Bergen Meadows by 4:45 p.m., Kelley said, and must have a key. If their keys are inside the school or they parked in the east lot, they cannot get their vehicles yet.

Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY network.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: ‘Lives were saved’ by fast lockdown at Evergreen High