Parents of Colorado School Shooter Won't Face Gun Charges

Authorities say the parents of a 16-year-old boy who wounded two students at a Colorado high school with an old revolver won't be charged.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The parents of Desmond Holly, a 16-year-old who wounded two students at Evergreen High School in Colorado and then killed himself, will not face any charges related to the shooting. Investigators found the gun used in the attack was a family heirloom kept in a locked gun safe, and the parents' DNA was not found on the weapon. The family's lawyer said Holly must have secretly taken the gun while cleaning other firearms with his father.

Why it matters

The decision not to charge the parents highlights the challenges in holding gun owners accountable when their firearms are used in school shootings, even when the guns are kept in a locked safe. It also raises questions about the role of parental responsibility and access to firearms in these types of tragic incidents.

The details

Investigators looked at whether the parents could be charged with allowing access to the Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver or for not storing it safely, but decided there wasn't enough evidence. The family's lawyer said the gun, described as a family heirloom, was kept stored near the back of a large, locked gun safe, and Holly didn't have access to the safe except for brief times when it was opened by his father.

  • On September 10, Holly shot and wounded two students at Evergreen High School before killing himself.
  • On February 5, 2026, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office announced the parents would not face any charges.

The players

Desmond Holly

A 16-year-old boy who wounded two students at Evergreen High School in Colorado before killing himself.

Douglas Richards

The family's lawyer, who told investigators that the gun used in the shooting was a family heirloom kept in a locked gun safe.

Jacki Kelley

A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, which investigated the shooting and determined the parents would not face charges.

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What they’re saying

“The family believes Holly must have secretly taken the gun, which was never used, from the safe while he was cleaning other firearms with his father.”

— Douglas Richards, Family Lawyer

What’s next

The FBI, which handled the portion of the investigation into Holly's potential radicalization, has said a reporter would have to file a records request to obtain more information about their findings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around gun ownership, storage, and accountability, especially when firearms are involved in school shootings. While the parents were not charged, it raises questions about how to prevent such tragedies and ensure guns are properly secured, even in private homes.