Another tragedy involving gun violence has hit local highschool teens. A 14-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder following a fatal shooting at Ingraham High School in Seattle. Another kid, a 15-year-old, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and rendering criminal assistance. The 15 year old will not be charged as an adult.
Students fed up with violence took to the streets this week to force leaders to take action. Based on witness interviews, the shooting started because of a fight inside a bathroom that involved the student who died and some of his friends against the 14-year-old and two of his friends. Camera from the high school’s security system showed the two groups walking toward the bathroom and the 14-year-old taking a fighting stance, court documents said.
After the fight, the two groups were seen leaving the bathroom. School personnel and other students said the 14-year-old and one of his friends looking “noticeably agitated and angry,” court documents said. The 17-year-old could be seen laughing at the 14-year-old and his friends as they left the area. The shooting occurred approximately 10 minutes later.
Police were called to Ingraham High School around the morning of Nov. 8. The reports were of a shooting. Callers said they heard multiple gunshots from within the school, with some saying they were afraid it was an “active shooter.” Seattle police arrived on the scene and saw a 17-year-old injured in a hallway. Officers provided aid until medics arrived and took over. The teen victim was taken away but died from his injuries soon after. Investigators said the child had been shot five times.
The sad tragedy is now in the criminal justice system where the teen suspect was officially charged with first-degree murder. The charges also included assault in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm. The prosecutor was to try the teen as an adult. King County prosecutors filed a motion to move the teen’s case to adult court. The judge will ultimately decide whether the suspect will be charged as an adult at a decline hearing, which means juvenile court declines jurisdiction over the case. If that happens, it will be moved to superior court.
