Police: No arrests made in Garfield High School shooting

It's been several days and still no arrests have been made in the fatal shooting of a student at Seattle's Garfield High School. Many ask “Why?” »

The shooting happened around lunchtime at Garfield High School, just outside a building. Police said there were witnesses and there was even cellphone video. But the Seattle Police Department (SPD) said KIRO Newsradio officers could not make arrests based on what was posted on social media. They need warrants to get the digital data and SPD said there are plenty of them.

Past coverage: Teenager killed in Garfield High School shooting in Seattle; courses canceled

When the police obtain the data, they analyze it themselves. SPD said detectives are working with local and federal agencies, including the FBI, to accomplish this.

KIRO Newsradio asked retired King County Sheriff John Urquhart if the lack of arrests was concerning.

“No, not at all and from everything I have read about this case it was done at lunchtime at school and in front of a group of other people, there is no doubt in my mind At least the Seattle police know who their suspect is,” Urquhart said.

He added that police were reluctant to name juvenile suspects.

“When I was sheriff, and certainly when I was detective, we did not release the names of juveniles to the press and we generally did not release the name of a suspect even if it was an adult, unless there is a real good investigative reason to do that,” Urquhart explained.

He also noted that it is likely that Seattle officers are intentionally remaining discreet.

“They want to plan what information they release, sometimes it’s better to keep a suspect’s identity secret,” he said.

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Urquhart also told KIRO Newsradio that SPD almost certainly knew who did it. However, “the suspect is likely a minor and most police departments do not release the names of minors.”

Urquhart added that he believed the shooter may be in hiding, but that it was “only a matter of time” before he was arrested.

SPD is asking people to contact them directly if they have any recordings, photos or information regarding the shooting.

Contributors: Heather Bosch, Aaron Granillo and Charlier Harger, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest