Two students were shot outside Graham-Kapowsin High School in Washington State, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, which revealed that the frightening double shooting may be gang-related.
It’s believed the suspects fled the scene. The Sheriff’s Department’s public information officer said, “We are confident there are no shooters at the school or on the school grounds.” The Department added, “Deputies have received information indicating shooting occurred just off school grounds, victims ran back onto GKHS campus after being shot. Victims transported to Tacoma General Hospital. Shooting may be gang related.”
The condition of the injured students has not been released. “Authorities say the shooting took place off campus about 2:30 p.m. and that the students ran back to campus,” reported Komo News.
“Responding to shooting outside Graham-Kapowsin High School,” the Sheriff’s Department wrote on Twitter on December 5. “2 students reportedly shot, one found in parking lot by football field, one found in locker room. Suspects described as multiple black males, fled in green vehicle, possibly Chevy Impala.”
The Sheriff’s Department created a media staging area shortly after news of the shooting broke. “For parents of any remaining students at Graham-Kapowsin HS, Frontier MS, or Nelson ES – students at all schools are being released to parents, please come pick up your children if you have not done so already. Thank you for your patience during traffic control & check out,” the Sheriff’s Department wrote.
All media need to stage at the Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church located at 22316 106th Ave E. Church is just south of Frontier Middle School in Graham. #PCSD PIO Troyer is on scene.
Pierce College also wrote about the shooting on Twitter. “We regret to share with you that this afternoon, 2 students were shot near Graham-Kapowsin High School. We are still learning details of the incident, but 2 students from GKHS were involved. Authorities are on the scene. Our thoughts go out to their students, faculty & staff,” the college wrote. “As you may know, Pierce College also teaches classes at GKHS in the evenings. We are in the process of notifying the students and faculty who attend at that location that those classes are cancelled tonight. We will keep you posted as we learn more.”
Shell casings cover the a street north and off the Graham Kapowsin HS grounds. Sources saying two were shot here and ran onto school campus.
Parents rushed to the school to be reunified with their children. One local television reporter wrote on Twitter that parents were being reunified with their children in “waves” after the frightening incident. Shell casings covered the street. KOMO News reported that the wounded students “have been taken to Tacoma General Hospital.” The names of the shooting victims were not released on the evening of December 5 right after the shooting broke.
Parents being let onto campus at Graham Kapowsin HS in waves to pick up kids after school lockdown from shooting. Latest @KIRO7Seattle
There may be more than one suspect involved, although they have not yet been identified. The shooters had fled the scene. “Deputies are actively sweeping the school grounds, at this point no indications that shooters are on campus. All remaining students on campus are secured with deputies, considered safe as security sweep is ongoing,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported.
The high school is located in Graham, Washington. People offered prayers and support on social media. “Prayers go out to our eagle fam, we love you all and hope you all are able to heal, and recover from this. you have the support of the braves. our thoughts are with you through this difficult time. remember, we’re better together. with love from bhs. #EagleStrong ???,” wrote one supporter on Twitter.