Denver school shooting: Teen opens fire on classmates before killing self; authorities say shooter was 'radicalised'

A 16-year-old student opened fire with a revolver at Evergreen High School, located in suburban Denver, on Wednesday, wounding two classmates before taking his own life.The suspect, identified as Desmond Holly, fired multiple rounds both inside and outside the school.

One victim was shot inside the building, and another outside. Both remained in critical condition Thursday.Sheriff’s spokesperson Jacki Kelley described a chaotic scene as students fled or locked themselves in classrooms. "He would fire and reload, fire and reload, fire reload," she said,as quoted by AP. "This went on and on, and as he did that he tried to find new targets.”Kelley said Holly was blocked by secured doors and could not reach students who were sheltering.

He had brought “quite a bit of ammunition” with him.

Officer absence during shooting

The school’s full-time resource officer was on medical leave, and two part-time officers who share the role were not present. The officer assigned to the school Wednesday had been sent earlier to a nearby accident. No responding officers fired their weapons, and the shooter was located within five minutes, Kelley said.

Investigation underway

Authorities were investigating Holly’s room, backpack, and locker to understand what led to the attack.

Kelley said details about how Holly had been radicalised by an “extremist network” will be released later. Officials are also examining whether his parents could face charges for allowing him access to the gun. Holly had ridden a bus to school that morning.Authorities have not confirmed whether Holly knew the victims or if they were targeted at random. Evergreen High has about 900 students and is located roughly 30 miles west of Denver.