Lawsuit says teacher may have been able to prevent Marysville-Pilchuck shootings

MARYSVILLE, Wash. — A judge heard allegations Tuesday that a substitute teacher may have been able to prevent the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

Parents of the victims say the teacher never warned anyone about the shooting in October 2014.

According to court documents, Rosemary Cooper said that two days before the shooting, she was warned by a student.

Cooper initially said she told the front office about the threat, but then a few days later, she appeared to recant her story, saying she no longer trusted her memory.

Student Jaylen Fryberg shot five classmates, killing four of them. He then killed himself.

Parents of the victims say there is no evidence Cooper told anyone.  They filed a lawsuit that names Cooper and Raymond Fryberg, the father of Jaylen Fryberg, as defendants.

They had also sued the Marysville School District, but it was dropped as a defendant after the School Board agreed to indemnify Cooper as an employee who would be covered by insurance if her actions were found to be reasonable, according to the Seattle Times.

During Tuesday's hearing, the judge told the victims' families that Cooper would remain a defendant in the case.

Want to talk about the news of the day? Join the conversation on this story and read trending headlines on the KIRO 7 News Facebook page. Follow @KIRO7Seattle here. 

Cox Media Group