Student Killed Today in Ingraham High School Shooting
Updates:
The police declined to say if the shooter arrested is a student.
The shooting was inside with many witnesses.
At Ingraham's website, from Principal Martin Floe (partial):
Dear Ingraham Families and Staff,
Recognizing there are no words to capture the emotions of today’s tragedy, I wanted to send out a brief email sharing resources and an update regarding support that will be available for the remainder of the week. As a reminder school will not be in session Wednesday or Thursday. Students should not be on campus for the remainder of the week.
For Wednesday and Thursday, students can access grief and loss support from Seattle Public Schools’ staff at the Bitterlake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N, Seattle WA 98033 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
From the Times:
According to a school climate survey from the spring, about 83% of students responded favorably to questions about relationships and belonging, but only 62% responded favorably to questions about behavior and safety.
I checked their school climate survey and also found this:
At this school, we restore relationships and repair harm after conflicts occur. - 58%
What I think Superintendent Brent Jones should do is have two townhalls; one for parents, one for students. Ask basic questions about behavior and safety and then listen. And listen. And listen.
I note that Director Song Maritz - at her Facebook page as a director - had a lengthy essay on her thoughts about the situation. I see that Director Rankin - who represents the region with Ingraham High in it - has nothing. On Twitter she just retweeted what the district tweeted.
end of updates
In what looks like a one-on-one argument, one student shot another one at Ingraham High School. This occurred around 10 am. The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center and later died.
The school went into lockdown and the police came quickly and secured the school. At about 11:30 am, students were being released to their parents (those students over 18 were able to leave on their own accord).
Classes are canceled at Ingraham tomorrow.
Shoreline area schools went into lockout out of caution.
The police were continuing their search for the suspect and apparently an arrest has been made.
The school has about 1400 people in it on a daily weekday basis.
Apparently hundreds of parents rushed to the school, worried about their student. The Times reported the parents were quiet as they waited.
One parent quote from the article at the Times:
“You hear about it in the news all the time,” Hall said. “Maybe it’s cliche but it’s different when it happens to you.”
Folks, we have to care about EVERY student. Because we live in a gun-obsessed country, it could happen anywhere anytime. You need to let electeds know that this has to change.
Another important quote:
According to a school climate survey from the spring, about 83% of students responded favorably to questions about relationships and belonging, but only 62% responded favorably to questions about behavior and safety.
Maybe every school should do follow-ups on school survey findings.
From the HCC Seattle High School Facebook group, a report from Nathan Hale High School:
"During lunch, we received reports of a non-Nathan Hale person-of-interest who came onto our campus. Security has informed us of safety concerns related to this person so we have returned to shelter-in-place. Again, instruction is continuing as normal and all external doors are locked for safety. As a precautionary measure, Seattle Police are enroute to our campus."
From Superintendent Jones:
This morning, we had an incident of gun violence at one of our schools. Tragically, an Ingraham student was shot and killed on campus. Our collective hearts are broken. We send our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and the entire Ingraham school community.
Seattle Police are on the scene and working with the district’s Safety and Security team. A suspect is in custody.
Ingraham students were released from classes for the remainder of the day and are being reunited with families. After-school activities at Ingraham have been canceled. Classes at Ingraham have been canceled for Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Coordinated School Health and Staff Wellness (EAP) are available to help our community process this tragic incident. Below are some resources to help families.Talking to children and teens about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Seattle Police Department Personal Safety Tips
SPS Coordinated School Health Mental Health Resources
Additionally, Crisis Connections provides a 24-hour crisis line 866-427-4747 www.crisisconnections.org or Teen Link 866-833-6546.
I am grateful for the quick response and thorough investigation by the Seattle Police Department and the SPS Safety and Security team. I want to commend the responsiveness of Ingraham Principal Martin Floe and the Ingraham staff. Thank you for your rapid response to secure the campus.
Please hold your loved ones close and seek comfort in one another. SPS will keep families and staff updated as information becomes available.
Comments
I like to think that an officer in the school would have prevented a needless death.
I have no knowledge of the event but here's something I saw online and found it interesting, believable, and very relevant.
INGRAHAM PARENT: In the wake of today's tragedy [a student was murdered on school grounds], which will overshadow the tragic overdose death of another student a week earlier, people need to be reminded why this has happened.
.
DAVID: What's this you sent me? A document from the school board?
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IP: It's a 2020 resolution by Seattle Public Schools ending the presence of police officers in schools. I'll send you some other contemporary material for context.
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DAVID: Do you feel that the lack of police presence contributed to today's shooting?
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IP: I feel it’s contributed to the rise in gang activity in the schools, and I believe this shooting was gang related.
With police gone, there’s nothing to counteract gang influence.
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DAVID: Ask your son whether, to his knowledge, Ingraham staff recognized the gang threat or ever did anything to counteract gang influence.
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IP: My son told me there were gangs at Ingraham last year. I didn’t believe him then, but this year I spotted a few bangers in the stands at football games. They were recruiting little bangers.
My son knew today's victim; they had math class together last year. He told me the victim was part of the “sagging crew.” Last week they jumped the shooter in the bathroom.
If that is true, then a police officer in the building may have been a deterrent.
So heart-breaking for all involved, but so much more so for the family and loved ones of the 17 year old victim.
And how does such a young kid (the one involved in the shooting - who's even younger than the victim) - get mixed up in this kind of craziness, or get access to guns. In Seattle?!
I hope an outcome of this is an open discussion about how to address these problems that affect some of our students and schools.
Just sad all around.
BLUE SKY
True
What Now
It was a mistake to take police out of buildings. There are serious issues in our high schools. I've been told that there are issues with gangs, drugs and selling of sex in north Seattle.
It is increasingly absurd how "in need of services" has become a dehumanizing catch-all for individuals making unhealthy choices.
But we have seen cops at schools with a mass shooter and it hasn't helped in many cases.
I am not saying more mental health services would solve everything but you have to wonder why kids join gangs. Are they afraid or feel unsafe alone?
Sad News, that's a pretty big blanket statement about "north Seattle."
SPS parent
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/seattles-ingraham-high-school-shooting-what-we-know/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/2-teens-held-in-juvenile-detention-after-ingraham-high-school-shooting-in-seattle/
Oh, great, apparently the Seattle times CAN cover SPS if the NY Post and NBC and CBS and FOX and KNKX and the Stranger and KUOW are all doing it, too. Good to know.
Haller Lake
Broadview Thompson went into lockdown when an individual was spotted with an what appeared to be a rifle which turned out to be an air gun.
The board was not supportive of concerned parents.
Liza needs to step aside for someone who has the time, energy, compassion, and competence to do the work. Don't wait for next round of elections, Liza, just step down.
BLUE SKY
Hasn't Student Focused Outcome Governance recommended that board members don't hold community meetings?
Community knowledge is important- even if it is located in the north end of town.
The Board solicits applications from Seattle residents who live in that director's district who want to finish that term. They usually pick the 10 best ones, have a public meeting with Q&A and then narrow it to 2-3 and then the Board decides. The Board decides the procedure.
That's how Brandon Hersey got there (replacing Betty Patu) and how Erin Dury got there (replacing Eden Mack). It worked out for Hersey to get elected to a full term but not Dury.
Unfortunately, I think the board majority is only focused on south Seattle.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/suspected-pimp-arrested-after-rolling-seattle-gunfight-prosecutors-say/
Ram parent
Yes,it is not within the Board's ability to fix issues of crime. However, they, the Superintendent, the SCPTSA and the Alliance for Education COULD do a full court press on the City Council and Mayor. No one parent should have to try alone.
I would urge you to write to the City Council and the Mayor. Invite them to come for a walk in the neighborhood. Ask them what they will be doing about it.
Seems like these gals have other skills. Seriously , what is happening and why is it being allowed. With the shorter days and cold nights maybe these ladies will move on.
hope so
Try getting a petition with a lot fo signatures, rally and testify at City Hall, call news outlets etc. Contact your city council person, state legislators and senator.
Your school board representative and superintendent should be advocating, as well.
I suspect Mayor Harrell would be sympathetic to your concerns. It might be more problematic getting the left leaning city council members on board. However, student safety is a priority and your community has lost a student and experienced trauma.