Colo. Teen Was Shot in Head, Chest by School Shooter. He Received Emotional Greeting After ‘Miraculous’ Recovery

An 18-year-old who survived a shooting at his Colorado high school has been released from the hospital more than a month after the tragic attack.

Matthew Silverstone was discharged on Tuesday, Oct. 14, where he was greeted by a crowd of 140 first responders and hospital staff holding blue balloons — his favorite color, according to a statement from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Silverstone sustained gunshot wounds to his head and chest during the Sept. 10 shooting at his high school in Evergreen, Colo. His recovery, officials said, has been “nothing short of miraculous.”

“His heart stopped twice – once at the scene, and once in the ambulance on the way to the hospital,” the statement read. “After emergency surgeries, the doctors prepared us for the worst. But Matthew has never given up. He can now speak. In fact, he is happy to tell you, ‘I’m still alive!’”

That day, a 16-year-old student opened fire inside the school around 12:20 p.m., injuring Silverstone and a 14-year-old boy whose family has chosen to keep his identity private, according to authorities.

The younger victim’s family shared that he had a “face-to-face encounter” with the shooter, per a statement issued through the sheriff’s office on Sept. 25.

“Our child suffered traumatic gunshot injuries and has remained hospitalized and undergone multiple surgeries since the incident,” the family said. They added that he managed to “run from the school to save his own life,” and as he and a friend escaped, “they alerted classmates about a student with a gun.”

The families of both victims have asked the public to continue keeping them in their thoughts as the boys heal.

The shooter, identified as 16-year-old Desmond Holly, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jacki Kelley, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, said Holly had been “radicalized by some extremist network,” according to Denver7. Kelley also noted that Holly used a revolver during the attack and was carrying “quite a bit of ammunition.”

Authorities have not yet released information on how Holly obtained the weapon, as the investigation remains ongoing.

In a statement on Tuesday, Matthew’s mother, Paige Silverstone, expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support throughout her son’s recovery.

“Your generosity has reminded us that we are not alone,” she said. “Each act of kindness, each word of encouragement, each prayer, has lifted Matthew and all of us more than I can ever express. You have helped carry us through our darkest moments. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, for believing in miracles, and helping us hold on to hope.”