Students robbed, assaulted near Stadium High School

TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma School District is warning families after four Stadium High School students were robbed or assaulted after school.

“It’s not good. I’m not happy about that. I want students here to be safe,” said junior Corbin McKay.

Stadium High School students said they're stunned their fellow students were the victims of crimes that occurred in broad daylight, just blocks from campus.

"It's very safe around here and that's kind of surprising to hear that these incidents have happened around here,” said McKay.

"I want everyone to be safe and not feel like they have to look around and defend themselves when they’re just walking around,” said senior Chloe Gutierrez.

Tacoma Public Schools spokesperson Dan Voelpel said students reported four crimes to the district in a span of five days. He said the district is aware of two armed robberies and two assaults.

All the incidents occurred off campus near the Stadium Business District after school hours.

"It's definitely suspicious that all of them occurred in the same area in a very short time frame,” said Voelpel.

Voelpel didn’t have further details about the crimes.

Tacoma police said two of the four incidents have been reported to officers.

Around 2:40 p.m. Jan. 14, a student was robbed at gunpoint in the 200 block of North G Street while walking to the bus stop. The suspects stole his backpack full of books.

Two days later, at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 16, a group of three people tried stealing a student's backpack in Wright Park. Police said the victim refused to give up the backpack and was assaulted. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

"You will see officers patrolling the Stadium District and Wright Park area, and that is why,” said Officer Wendy Haddow.

Friday, Stadium High School Principal Kevin Ikeda sent an email to families to warn them about the recent crimes.

"It's a hot topic in the community. People are anxious, I think, and we're working closely with the police department to see if we can get some resolution,” said Voelpel.

On campus, security officers patrol the school full time. The district wants to make sure students stay just as safe as they travel back home.

"If people can ask for rides, that's the best option, because walking doesn't really seem like the best idea right now,” said McKay.

Tacoma police said it’s best for students to walk to and from school in groups. They also recommend people always be aware of their surroundings.

Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to contact the Tacoma Police Department at 253-798-4721.

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