Brave Teen Stood Up to Evergreen High School Shooter, Saved Classmates

By Heather Willard | KDVR FOX31

DENVER (KDVR) — The family of a 14-year-old boy who was shot during the Sept. 10 shooting at Evergreen High School has shared a lengthy statement, saying their son was injured when confronting the shooter.

“On September 10th, inside Evergreen High School, our 14-year-old son endured the unimaginable: a face-to-face encounter with a violent school shooter filled with anger and hatred,” the family wrote, shared by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. “Our child suffered traumatic gunshot injuries and has remained hospitalized and undergone multiple surgeries since the incident.”

The boy will remain unnamed as the family wishes to remain confidential, according to the sheriff’s office. The other victim shot in the incident, 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone, was identified by his family, who said he also took heroic actions on the day of the shooting.

On Thursday, the 14-year-old boy’s condition was updated to “fair” from “serious.” Silverstone remains in critical condition, and his family says he is making small, encouraging improvements every day.

The family said their son “showed a level of bravery, strength, and will to survive that no child should ever be asked to display,” adding that he and a friend confronted the 16-year-old shooter, “which undoubtedly allowed time for more students to flee and the school to lock down.”

The family said his encounter with the shooter occurred before alarms were set off or the lockdown announcements could be made.

“Our son was shot at close range. Yet, he was able to run from the school to save his own life,” the family said. “As he and his friend ran through the school to escape, they alerted classmates about a student with a gun. Our son reached the recreation center behind the school and received immediate, critical first aid from an EMT/firefighter who was working there.”

Initial surgeries allowed boy to communicate in writing

The family said that their son was able to begin communicating in writing after initial surgeries, and his first questions were about the well-being of his family, friends, classmates, teachers and the other victim. The family said that he also asked how the shooting could have happened.

“His mind and messages were clear: The adults responsible for protecting children must take real, meaningful action so that no child or family endures this kind of horror – in school or anywhere,” the family wrote. “Character is proven when tested, and our son showed and continues to show his loving, caring heart and principled mind.”

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