DENVER (KDVR) In a heartening update, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office shared that the second victim of the Sept. 10 shooting at Evergreen High School has been discharged from the hospital. This announcement comes from the family of 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone.

On Tuesday, Matthew was released from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital, met with a warm celebration from over 100 first responders and hospital staff. They assembled at the emergency entrance, holding blue balloons to honor Matthew’s favorite color and to mark this significant moment in his recovery journey.

Opting for privacy, Matthew’s family issued a comprehensive statement via the sheriff’s office, expressing gratitude for the community’s unwavering support and interest in his healing process. They have chosen to keep his current whereabouts undisclosed.

“No longer in intensive care, Matthew now embarks on a lengthy rehabilitation journey. Sharing this news just five weeks post-attack feels nothing short of a miracle,” the family conveyed.

Details from the family revealed that Matthew endured two gunshot wounds, one to the head and another to the chest, causing his heart to stop both at the scene and en route to the hospital. Despite the grim prognosis following emergency surgeries, the family remains hopeful as Matthew begins his road to recovery.

Care team says teen ‘exceeded everyone’s expectations’

FOX31’s Hanna Powers spoke with several members of Matthew’s care team after his celebratory send-off on Tuesday.

“He’s brave. That’s a brave kid,” one nurse said. “He’s strong, determined a survivor. And he never lost his sense of humor.”

Hospital staff lined the hallways to send him off nurses, therapists, even housekeepers many of whom had cared for Matthew since the moment he arrived in the ER.

Several members of his care team said the experience reaffirmed why they chose their profession.

“It made me feel like I’m in the right career that we made a difference,” said one nurse. “To see him come back from that…it’s something I’ve only seen once or twice in my life.”

In September, the Silverstone family shared some of Matthew’s heroic actions during the shooting.

“But Matthew has never given up. He can now speak. In fact, he is happy to tell you, ‘I’m still alive!’” the family said. “He can walk with assistance. His friends will tell you his sense of humor is back. He has exceeded everyone’s expectations in his recovery.”

“To take him from that state to where he is now we can’t really humanly explain it,” one nurse said.

Also injured in the shooting was a 14-year-old student who confronted the shooter. Late last month, the 14-year-old’s family shared that he suffered traumatic gunshot injuries but saved lives inside the high school. He was still hospitalized as of Sept. 26 and was only communicating through writing.

The Silverstone family thanked the community for the love and support shown to Matthew, and called the events of Sept. 10 “evil and tragic.”

“But in the days and weeks that have followed, through every card and letter, every donation, every meal, gift and prayer, we’ve seen the true heart of Evergreen and the kindness that defines Colorado,” the family stated.

Paige Silverstone, Matthew’s mother, who stayed by his bedside day and night during his recovery, also offered a statement.

“Your generosity has reminded us that we are not alone,” Paige 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.”

The family also thanked:

• The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: “From the deputies who first responded to the scene and saved Matthew’s life, to the victim advocate who continues to stand up for Matthew and our family, to the public information office who helped us share Matthew’s story, the investigators who are working tirelessly to seek justice for Matthew, and the deputies who continue to watch over Matthew on a volunteer basis.”
• CommonSpirit Saint Anthony Hospital
• “The other victim and their family, for the concern and support they have extended to Matthew and our family amidst their own pain.”
• The students of Evergreen High School, “who have stood with Matthew and our family, even as they deal with their own trauma.”

“Seeing him return to his family and friends, and to have a full life, is truly special for us,” said another member of Matthew’s care team.

The family said it is continuing to focus on helping Matthew heal and is asking for privacy, but his nurses say the sight of him leaving the hospital is a moment they’ll carry with them forever.