By Ann Wang
A high school freshman in the state of Washington recently shot five students before committing suicide at school. Jaylen Fryberg, a popular student, had texted the victims, inviting them to lunch before shooting them in Marysville-Pilchuck High School’s cafeteria. The victims were two of his cousins, Nate Hatch and Andrew Fryberg, and three of his close friends, Zoe R. Galasso, Gia Soriano, and Shaylee Chuckulnaskit. Fryberg’s family stated that there was no clear rift between the cousins.
Multiple detectives are searching for motives behind the shooting. Fryberg played on the school football team and had been named a homecoming prince just a week prior to the attack. Members of his family were prominent members of Tulalip Indian Tribes. State Senator John McCoy, a tribal member, said that all they determined was that he was a happy-go-lucky kid. Jaylen’s social media accounts showed his passion for sports, hunting, music, family activities, and Native American interests.
Friends say that he was upset about a girl; his Twitter feed was recently full of vague and distressed posts, such as “I should have listened. … You were right … The whole time you were right,” and another tweet said, “It breaks me … It actually does …” In June, he tweeted about wanting to die, and his last tweet reads, “It won’t last…. It’ll never last….”
A newly hired teacher intervened during the incident. Social studies teacher, Megan Silberberger intercepted the gunman as he paused. The Marysville School District released a statement from her, “While I am thankful and grateful for the support from everyone, at this time I am requesting privacy for myself and my family.”
The sheriff’s office mentioned that the handgun used during the shooting was purchased legally by a relative of Jaylen. However, it is unclear how he acquired the weapon.
On Monday at the memorial outside the school, students comforted each other and hugged tightly at 10:39 AM, the minute the shooting was reported. Flowers and signs were hung on a fence lined with balloons in the colors of the school, red and white. Several students referred to the victims and said they’d be missed. “Jaylen where do I begin, you were my brother my best friend love you bro,” one message on a balloon read. “Jaylen, I will never forget you and your beautiful smile,” read another. Rows of plastic cups covered candles for the victims and Jaylen.
