Teen killed in shooting outside Garfield High School

Seattle, WA – June 6, 2024 - A 17-year-old student was tragically killed in a shooting outside Garfield High School on Thursday, marking another grim chapter in the ongoing struggle with gun violence in Seattle's Central District. The incident occurred during the school's lunch break, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting urgent calls for increased safety measures.

The shooting took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the school's parking lot. According to Deputy Chief Eric Barden of the Seattle Police Department, the victim was attempting to intervene in an altercation between two other individuals when he was shot multiple times. The suspect, described as a high school-aged male, fled the scene and remains at large. Surveillance footage captured the suspect wearing a red hooded jacket, light-colored jeans, and white sneakers.

Emergency responders arrived swiftly, with police officers providing initial medical aid before Seattle Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center. Despite all lifesaving efforts, the student succumbed to his injuries later in the day.

"This is an extraordinary tragedy for the community," said Deputy Chief Barden during a press conference. "Unfortunately, gun violence emerged again today at our high school, and we have a victim right now at Harborview."

The incident has left the Garfield High School community reeling. The school was placed on lockdown immediately following the shooting, with students and staff remaining indoors until the lockdown was lifted around 3:15 p.m. Seattle Public Schools coordinated a reunification site on the south side of the school for parents and students.

Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Garfield High School alumnus, expressed his deep sorrow and frustration at the news conference. "I can’t use the word trauma enough to describe what our children are going through," Harrell said. "This is not the first shooting at Garfield, and these kids deserve better."

This shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Garfield High School in recent months. In March, a student was shot while waiting for her bus outside the school, and in October, another shooting incident led to a lockdown. These events have sparked protests and calls for action from parents and community members, who are demanding more robust safety measures and the return of school resource officers.

Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr emphasized the department's commitment to enhancing security in the Central District. "We’re not coming in here to be hardcore policing," Rahr said. "We’re coming into the neighborhood to gather with the community, work with the community."

Parents and community leaders echoed the need for a collaborative approach to address the root causes of violence. Victoria Beach, SPD public safety liaison, discussed the possibility of reintroducing school resource officers at Garfield, a move that has garnered mixed reactions in the past. "Environments change, dynamics change … It is time to reconsider that," said Seattle Lt. Brandon James, who oversees community outreach.

The impact of the shooting was palpable among parents waiting anxiously for their children. "Kids shouldn’t have to deal with this — it’s too much," said Jeff Scott, whose daughter is a freshman at Garfield. Another parent, Melanie Skinner, expressed her reluctance to send her daughter back to the school. "It’s become so normalized," she said, reflecting on the frequency of such incidents.

Christle Young, a former police officer and mother of a Garfield student, was among those who rushed to the scene to provide first aid. "I started doing CPR," Young recounted. "I’m just not comfortable sending my son here. It doesn’t seem like they’re equipped to handle situations like this."

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. The community remains united in grief and determination, calling for meaningful changes to ensure the safety and well-being of their children.

"This is an epidemic," said Mount Calvary Bishop Reggie C. Witherspoon Sr. "We’re on the verge of losing an entire generation of young people."

The tragic loss of a young life at Garfield High School underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat gun violence and protect the future of Seattle's youth.