TACOMA, Wash. — A teenage boy was shot in front of Lincoln High School Tuesday afternoon, prompting a lockdown and large police response.
According to Tacoma Police Department Sergeant John Correa, officers responded to the school just before school let out around 2:50 p.m. after a staff member called 911 to report gunfire, King 5 reports. A business located around the corner from the school called police shortly after to report a juvenile victim had shown up with gunshot wounds. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. Police have not confirmed whether the teen is a student at the school.
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The school went into a modified lockdown, which restricts access in and out of the building, Tacoma Public Schools wrote in a statement. Police used drones and K-9 units to search for the suspect, who remains at large.
“(The shooting) is very concerning,” he said. “It’s the end of the school day and the end of the school year. Currently we have Tacoma Public Schools having their graduations going on at the Tacoma Dome. But the department currently has its end of school year plan, starting tomorrow, and the plan had already been made, we have officers assigned to each of the school areas.”
Correa said an officer was not assigned to the school at the time of the shooting.
Counselors were made available at the school Wednesday for students and staff, the district said.
In May, Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Garcia sent a message to district families about the deaths of three students from gun violence, according to KOMO News.
“I am reaching out to you because this is a time when we all need to come together to help our kids. Unfortunately, we are seeing violence tick up in the South Puget Sound. In April, three Tacoma Public Schools students were killed as a result of gun violence,” he wrote. “Many of our kids are close to or know someone impacted by gun violence this school year. I’m hoping, together, we can take steps to help them get through this difficult time and keep them safe in the future. It won’t be perfect, but it will be worth it.”
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The message went on to say the city will be rolling out a program, called “Summer Late Nights,” as a way to support local youth throughout the summer months.
“Through this program, middle and high school students can hang out at schools and community centers across town five nights a week, having fun with friends and being surrounded by caring adults,” Garcia continued. “I don’t have all the answers, but I know that if we lean in together, we can support our children and do something good.”
