EVERGREEN, Colo. — In the terrifying minutes after shots erupted inside Evergreen High School, chaos and panic swept through the campus. Some students dropped to the floor while others ran toward the exits, driven only by instinct and fear. For a group of 18 students, the desperate escape led them off campus and down a nearby road, where they found an unexpected refuge — the home of Don Cygan, a retired teacher and nurse.
Cygan and his wife were at home when the frightened teens came rushing toward their door. Without hesitation, they ushered the students inside, locking the doors and reassuring them that they were safe. “They came in crying, shaking, not knowing what was going on,” Cygan said. “We just wanted them to know they were safe here until their parents or the authorities could get to them.”
In a matter of moments, the couple’s quiet home became a sanctuary. Cygan, drawing on his years of experience in both education and nursing, calmed the shaken teens, offering them water, blankets, and space to call their families. Some huddled together in silence, while others sobbed or tried to process the chaos they had just escaped.
Authorities later confirmed that a male student had opened fire inside Evergreen High before dying from self-inflicted injuries. While the investigation continues, officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Still, for the students who fled, those minutes of fear will be hard to forget.
Neighbors and community members are praising Cygan’s quick actions, calling him a hero for stepping in during a moment of crisis. “Those kids could have been wandering in shock out there,” one neighbor said. “He gave them safety and comfort when they needed it most.”
Evergreen High School remained closed as police processed the scene, and grief counselors are being made available for students, staff, and families grappling with the trauma of the day’s events.
For the students who ended up at Cygan’s home, the memory of his compassion will remain a bright spot in a day marked by fear and loss. “We’re just grateful he was there, and that he cared,” said one parent, who reunited with their child at the house.
As Evergreen mourns and begins to heal, stories like Cygan’s remind the community of the strength that can emerge in the face of tragedy.
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