SEATTLE — Several Seattle public schools went into lockdown Wednesday afternoon following an altercation between two Garfield High School students and a nearby shooting.
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) said Garfield and Nova high schools and Washington and Meany middle schools were all placed on lockdown or shelter-in-place because of the incidents. The safety procedures were lifted just before 2 p.m.
SPS said the altercation between two Garfield High School students took place on campus but was not a direct threat to the school.
Seattle police said there was a physical fight somewhere near Garfield High School which developed into a secondary disturbance on the school’s football field which resulted in one person suffering a minor injury. According to a Seattle Fire Department public information officer, a 17-year-old was treated for minor injuries and did not need to be transported to the hospital. The injury was reported as an assault.
SPD said two vehicles were seen driving away from the school following the incident on the football field.
Shortly after, shots were fired near 27th and Alder between two vehicles. This location is just three blocks from the school. Officers also found some property damaged by gunfire, according to Seattle police. SPD said they are still working to determine if the two vehicles involved in the shots fired incident were the same vehicles that left the school.
We know there was a fight, and then shots were fired. But are the two related? It’s a question police are working to answer.
"The teachers just started locking the doors, and we were just like 'What's happening? What's happening?'" said Mason Bennett, a sophomore at Garfield. "We heard like drum sounds, we thought it was the band. But it was actually gunshots."
More than a dozen shell casings were found.
Later in the afternoon, Seattle Public Schools said, “This incident was between two families," which many took as meaning adults may have been involved in the conflict.
Jasmin Esters, the aunt of a Garfield student, said she hopes if parents are involved, that they turn themselves in.
"I'm gonna say this: shame on you. Shame on you, that breaks my heart. You're a parent, and you're an adult, and you're not leading by example," said Esters.
SPS said it is unknown if students were involved in the shooting.
In their statement, Seattle Public Schools said the shooting was "in the Garfield Neighborhood but NOT on a Seattle Public School campus."
Esters said there needs to be some accountability.
"It's a school zone. It's a safe zone, and we need to keep the kids safe," said Esters.
She is hoping they find the suspects because this is not an anomaly.
It comes after three shootings at the end of last school year-- also near Garfield's campus.
"All this gun violence needs to stop," she said.
Parents who were waiting outside the school during the lockdown told KING 5 they would like to see more security measures on campus, including things like metal detectors and security guards.
“I wish somebody would pay attention," said Joanna Edwards, whose son goes to Garfield. "This is our future. This is what you want for your future? You know, like if we keep doing the same things we've been doing, this is what we're going to get. And I'm tired of it and tired of being afraid to send my kids to school.”
“They're supposed to be here with their friends and learning," said Nadeem, whose daughter goes to the school. "Not in a situation where they're in lockdown and come home traumatized.”
One jaded 12th grader said, "At this point, I think I'm just kind of used to it."
Parents who spoke to KING 5 told us they want metal detectors and more security staff on campus. Additionally, Bennett said he feels the security staff that exists now should focus on making more positive relationships with students.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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