In a devastating incident, a 17-year-old student from Garfield High School in Seattle's historic Central District lost his life after being shot multiple times during the lunch hour. The tragic incident occurred in the parking lot in front of the Quincy Jones Performing Arts Center on the school campus. The victim, who had bravely tried to break up a fight, was shot at close range by an unidentified assailant.

The shooting took place on Thursday, June 6, 2024, and the victim succumbed to his injuries six hours later at Harborview Medical Center. Following the shooting, an image of the suspect standing over the victim, who was trying to get away, was circulated to aid the identification process. The suspect, described as a high-school aged male wearing a red hoodie, remains at large as of Thursday evening.

Deputy Chief Eric Barden expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it an extraordinary tragedy for the community. The police reported that the victim had attempted to intervene and break up the fight between two individuals. However, an additional altercation ensued, leading to the suspect producing a weapon and firing multiple rounds at the victim before fleeing the scene.

Authorities immediately responded to the shooting, which occurred during lunchtime. Garfield High School was placed under lockdown, ensuring the safety of the students inside the building. The Seattle Police Department secured the school and worked in collaboration with the district's Safety and Security team.

Unfortunately, this incident has raised concerns about safety around Garfield High School. In recent months, students and families have expressed worries about gun violence in the vicinity. The incident in March, involving another off-campus shooting at a nearby bus station that injured a 17-year-old girl, led to protests and calls for increased security measures. Incidents in October 2023 and three nearby shootings in June 2023 had previously resulted in lockdown situations at the school.

Parents who were waiting outside the school during the recent shooting shared their concerns. Christle Young, a former police officer, expressed her intent to transfer her son to another school, highlighting the need to protect her child in a safer environment. Another parent, Anjali Rao, stressed the importance of increased police presence outside the school to ensure the safety of students during extracurricular activities.

Garfield High School and the surrounding community have been left grieving by this tragic loss. As investigations continue and efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect progress, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence and enhance the safety measures in and around schools.

Seattle Public Schools, in collaboration with the police, will continue to update families and the public as new information becomes available. The school district has also been actively promoting gun violence prevention, with initiatives like National Gun Violence Prevention Day and gun lockbox giveaway events to raise awareness and enhance safety measures.

This is a developing story, and our thoughts remain with the victim's family and the Garfield High School community during this difficult time.