South Sound News

Police seek help identifying suspect after shooting outside Graham school

Photo of fourth suspect, released Thursday.

GRAHAM, Wash. — After two 16-year-old boys were injured in a drive-by shooting behind Graham-Kapowsin High School Tuesday, officials with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department shared an image of a fourth suspect they are working to identify and locate.

UPDATE ON GRAHAM KAPOWSIN HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING - detectives actively following up on leads on shooter (not in custody),...

Posted by Pierce County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, December 7, 2017

Two suspects arrested

Two17-year-old suspects are currently in custody.

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Detectives arrested the first suspect, also a 17-year-old, in connection with the shooting Tuesday night.

The boy seen in a white T-shirt in a photo in this story is the second suspect in custody. The person wearing the hooded sweatshirt is the third suspect, who is at also at large, along with the fourth suspect.

The third suspect is believed to be the shooter in the case.

The fourth suspect's photograph was released by police on Thursday.

Anyone who sees the third or fourth suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Scroll down to read more.

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Key Developments
  • Two students injured in shooting outside Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham.
  • Shooting happened off campus.
  • The victims are students at the high school; they were taken to area hospitals.
  • The victims were in critical condition and are expected to survive.
  • Deputies say the shooting may be gang-related.

The two teenagers who were taken into custody are being held in Remann Hall in Tacoma.

The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office says that the two will be placed on a 24-hour hold until Friday. During that time, a charging decision will be made as well as if they will be tried as juveniles or adults.

Police say the shooting may have been gang-related. The parents of the victims said their sons have no gang ties and were merely bystanders.

What led up to the shooting

According to Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer, teens planned to meet in a wooded area about 20 yards behind the high school to fight.

By 2:30 p.m., a crowd had formed, but the fight never started. The reason why is not known.

Instead, at least three teens got into a green Chevrolet Impala, and as they drove away, fired shots into the crowd. Two 16-year-old boys were shot.

One victim was found in a school locker room, and another was found in a parking lot by the football field. The students were taken to Tacoma General Hospital in critical condition. They are expected to survive.

In a Facebook post, a parent of one victim said their son was shot four times and is still dealing with surgeries.

The other boy was shot in the leg.

Chaos erupts after shooting

Students said that when the shots were fired, they tried to run inside the school to avoid more gunfire, prompting a lockdown of four schools affecting 3,000 students.

Some parents waited for hours before they were reunited with their children. Some students were not released to their parents until about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Counselors are on hand at the high school Wednesday and there will be extra security.

Graham-Kapowsin High School is located at 108th Ave E. & Eustis Hunt Rd. E. in Graham. Shots were fired on the Eustis Hunt Rd. side of the campus.

Read below for the breaking updates posted during the shooting.