17-year-old high student fatally shot outside Seattle high school, suspect at large

A 17-year-old student was fatally shot outside a Seattle public school on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Seattle Police Department, at 12:30 pm, officers responded to reports of a shooting at Garfield High School in the 400 block of 23rd Avenue South. Upon arrival, they found a 17-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police attempted lifesaving measures until the Seattle Fire Department arrived to continue treatment. The teen was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the shooting, Garfield was placed on lockdown, and nearby schools were asked to shelter in place. Students were finally released at approximately 3:45 pm. Classes at Garfield have been canceled for Friday and Monday of next week.

According to police, an altercation took place on school grounds and the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim. The high school-aged male suspect fled the scene and has not yet been located.

Deputy Chief Eric Barden said the suspect wore a red hoodie, light-colored pants, and light shoes, according to KOMO-TV Seattle.

Though the suspect has not been identified, sources told Seattle Homicide that the victim might be a local rapper who was getting ready to drop a new video.  Homicide detectives are currently investigating.

The area near the campus has been rife with violence since last year. In March, a 17-year-old girl was shot at the school’s bus stop. In April, Dozens of illegal immigrants and local activists occupied a rec area the school shares with a nearby community center. In October 2023, police responded after a shooting damaged school property, and in May of that year, a 19-year-old was shot in the school’s parking lot.