Three students remain in critical condition after shots were fired at a suburban Denver high school Wednesday.
The shooting occurred around midday at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, located about 30 miles west of Denver, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jacki Kelley. All victims that were taken from the scene are believed to be students, Kelley confirmed.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the three teenagers were either receiving emergency medical attention or undergoing surgical procedures at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, according to hospital CEO Kevin Cullinan. Cullinan said he does not believe additional victims from the shooting were treated at the facility.
“As parents and caregivers continue to reunite with their children, our hearts are with the families of the victims and the students impacted by this tragic event,” commissioners said in a joint statement Wednesday.
The emergency response mobilized more than 100 police officers from throughout the Denver metropolitan area. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, which is handling the investigation, previously responded to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting that claimed 14 lives, including one victim who died earlier this year from complications related to injuries from that attack.
Commissioners for the Colorado county provided mental health resources for those who witnessed or were affected by the attack, which includes the Colorado Mental Health Line: dial 988, the Colorado Crisis Hotline at 1-844-493-TALK(8255), or visit the Jefferson Center for Mental Health.
Federal authorities are investigating the Minneapolis incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, a 23-year-old who had written threatening phrases on a rifle magazine, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The day prior to the violent incident Trump had posted on Truth Social that crime is out of control in Chicago, stating “6 DEAD, 24 BADLY WOUNDED, LAST WEEK ALONE!!!”
He has previously suggested sending the National Guard to high crime cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Baltimore.
“Look around you right now, does this look like an emergency? … Go talk to the people of Chicago, who are enjoying a gorgeous afternoon in the city,” the governor said during an Aug. 25 press conference in response to the Trump administration’s suggestion of sending the National Guard to Chicago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
