Student killed in shooting after trying to break up fight outside Garfield High School

LOS ANGELES — A 17-year-old student was shot and killed outside Garfield High School Thursday afternoon while trying to break up a fight.

The shooting occurred at 12:30 p.m. during the school’s lunch period in the youth center parking lot near the corner of 23rd Avenue and Jefferson Street.

According to Deputy Chief Eric Barden, an altercation broke out on campus when the 17-year-old male victim attempted to intervene and break up the fight. Barden added that the suspect, who is also a high school student, pulled out a gun and shot the victim. The suspect then fled the scene. None of the suspects are currently in custody. Barden said the suspect was wearing a red hoodie, light-colored pants and light-colored shoes.

Barden said officers rendered aid to the student, including a “chest seal,” until Seattle Fire Department arrived and took over. The 17-year-old was then taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he died.

“This is an extraordinary tragedy for the community,” Barden told reporters at a news conference. The students were held at the school for about three hours while police secured the grounds and searched for the suspect.

“This is completely out of control,” parent Nadeem Uddin told KOMO News.

Uddin said this was the third time in the last year that he had to come to the school to pick up his daughter because of a shooting.

“Maybe this is the last year my daughter will go to school here. I have to take her away from here or raise her somewhere outside the city because it is no longer safe for our children,” Uddin said.

Another mother, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Michelle, expressed outrage over the gun violence on campus. She told KOMO News her son is a sophomore at Garfield and she is a teacher at a nearby elementary school.

“And here we are again. When are you, Seattle Public Schools, going to keep our children safe?” Michelle asked. “My job as a mother and a teacher is to keep children safe. If our district isn’t doing that, we need to do something. Let’s close the schools for the rest of the year.”

There have been several shootings in the same area of ​​campus over the past year. In March, a 17-year-old girl was shot at the bus stop.

In October 2023, police responded to a shooting that damaged school grounds. In May 2023, a 19-year-old man was shot in the same youth center parking lot.

“This happens so often and we’re all so used to it. There’s no emotion involved anymore,” Lezlye Lopez, a Garfield high school student, told KOMO News. “I wish there were more police officers here before, during and after school.”

Seattle Public Schools said in a statement that while Garfield was on lockdown, nearby Nova School and Washington Middle School were told to shelter in place. Students were released around 3:45 p.m.

The identity of the deceased student has not been released. Police said they are still actively searching for the shooter and asked anyone with information to call the tip line at 206-233-5000.

A SPS spokesperson confirmed to KOMO News Thursday evening that classes at Garfield High School have been canceled for both Friday and Monday of next week.

The investigation is being led by the Seattle Police Department. Tips can also be sent to CrimeStoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or crimestoppers.com.