Teenager killed in Seattle prompts calls for gun safety laws

(The Center Square) – A shooting at Garfield High School in Seattle's Central District left a 17-year-old student dead.

Seattle Police patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting Thursday afternoon. Officers found the student suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

At 12:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of 23rd Avenue South and located a 17-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The Seattle Police Department provided medical aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived on scene and continued treatment. The man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

SPD officers determined that an altercation took place on school grounds before the shooting at Garfield High School.

The student died from his injuries later that day.

“This tragedy greatly affects our entire SPS community – my primary concern is the well-being and safety of our students and staff,” Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said in a statement. “At Seattle Public Schools, we are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to our students and staff during this tragic event. »

Classes at Garfield High School are canceled on Friday, June 7 and Monday, June 10.

In a separate statement regarding the shooting, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the student's death accelerates the city's urgency to combat gun violence.

“As Seattle continues to advance policing and community solutions, the tools we currently have are not enough,” Harrell said. “It’s long past time to reject state preemption of gun laws and give cities the freedom to set our own common-sense gun safety laws and better ensure security people. »

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Harrell mentioned that Friday was National Gun Violence Awareness Day, during which the city had planned an event to commemorate a new memorial garden for victims of gun violence.

The Seattle Education Association also released a statement on social media calling for restrictions on gun access, saying “our students deserve to learn and thrive in safe, threat-free communities and schools.” of armed violence.”