On the sunny afternoon of September 10, a significant event unfolded at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, a charming mountain town near Denver. A 16-year-old male student caused distress by discharging a firearm, affecting two peers and himself. Tragically, he later succumbed to a self-inflicted injury. Thankfully, one student received treatment and was discharged to continue their recovery at home, while another remains in critical condition, as reported by Colorado Public Media.

Amidst the turmoil, a remarkable display of compassion emerged. A group of students rushed to the home of a nearby neighbor, seeking safety and comfort. Don Cygan, a retired educator residing just a stone's throw from the school, was finishing his lunch when he heard urgent knocks at his door.

Cygan recalled the moment vividly, recognizing the seriousness of the situation from the urgency in their voices. When he opened his door, he was met with a chorus of young voices exclaiming, “There’s a shooter up at the school. Let us in, please.” Without hesitation, he welcomed them inside.

Soon, a second group joined, bringing the total to 18 students and one adult. Cygan assured them, “Stay here, where you’re safe, until we figure out what’s going on.” As the sound of sirens filled the air, he drew upon his extensive experience as a teacher and his wife’s background as a nurse to provide comfort and reassurance.

“My wife has been a nurse for over 30 years,” Cygan shared. Together, they helped calm the students, offering them water and support during a moment of distress. “I hope they feel like they ran to the right house,” he expressed, reflecting the warmth of their hospitality.

As they sheltered the students, one of the young men revealed he had heard gunshots while in the cafeteria, prompting him to flee to safety. Cygan and his wife encouraged the students to reach out to their families, ensuring they could let them know they were safe. Some students were later collected from the library, while others were reunited with loved ones at Cygan’s home. The couple diligently noted down the names of the students and their families.

Though there was an underlying tension, the community came together in solidarity. “I think lots of my neighbors around here also did a wonderful job of giving shelter to any of these young men and young women,” Cygan noted, highlighting the strength of their community.

Reflecting on the incident, Cygan expressed his sorrow for the families affected, stating, “I just feel so sorry for them, and obviously I'm praying for those three families and for their three kids.” He acknowledged the surprising nature of the event in their typically peaceful environment, saying, “Evergreen’s supposed to be this beautiful, kind of secluded area and peaceful and calm. And, yeah, not today.”

Once the crisis had passed and the students were safely reunited with their families, Cygan received heartfelt gratitude from those he had helped. “Of course, I said, that’s what we do,” he concluded, embodying the spirit of kindness and community that shone through during a challenging time.