Investigation Clears Colorado Parents of Criminal Charges in Evergreen High School Shooting

The parents of the teenage shooter were not found criminally liable after a nearly five-month investigation.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The parents of the teenager who shot two students and killed himself at Evergreen High School in Colorado in 2025 have been cleared of criminal wrongdoing following a nearly five-month investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was a 50-year-old revolver the parents considered a family heirloom, and that the teen did not have access to the locked safe where it was stored.

Why it matters

The Evergreen High School shooting was a tragic event that deeply impacted the local community. This investigation aimed to determine if the parents bore any criminal responsibility for the incident, which could have had significant legal and social implications. The outcome provides some closure, though the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting.

The details

Investigators found the gun used in the shooting was a Smith & Wesson .38 Special Revolver originally purchased in Florida in 1966. The trail of ownership was difficult to trace after the original owner died. DNA tests found no traces of the parents on the gun, and the family's attorney stated the gun belonged to one of the teen's grandparents, and that the shooter did not have access to the safe where it was stored. Authorities were unable to find evidence to charge the parents with providing a firearm to a juvenile or violating Colorado's secure firearms storage law.

  • The shooting occurred on September 10, 2025 at Evergreen High School.
  • The nearly five-month investigation concluded on February 4, 2026.

The players

Desmond Holly

The 16-year-old shooter who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting two students, both of whom suffered critical injuries.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that conducted the nearly five-month investigation into the Evergreen High School shooting.

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What they’re saying

“The JCSO acknowledges that this was not the outcome many in our community hoped for. In the wake of this tragic event, we remained fully committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation, guided by the facts and the law. While not every investigation results in additional charges, our focus has always been on pursuing the truth and accountability wherever it could be legally established.”

— Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The case will be closed pending the emergence of new evidence that would warrant the filing of charges.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the complexities involved in determining criminal liability in the aftermath of a school shooting, especially when the weapon used was a family heirloom that the shooter did not have direct access to. While the outcome may not satisfy all in the community, the authorities say they pursued the truth and accountability to the fullest extent possible under the law.