2 suspects arrested in shooting of students outside Graham-Kapowsin High School; 1 still sought

GRAHAM, Wash. – Deputies have arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of two 16-year-old male students outside Graham-Kapowsin High School on Tuesday. A green Chevrolet Impala was also impounded for evidence.

Photos of another suspect being sought was released by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. Deputies said the outstanding suspect is the one in the photos wearing a purple shirt.

Detectives released the following update Wednesday afternoon:

In the shooting earlier, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said one student was found in the parking lot by the high school football field and another was found in a locker room. Shots were reportedly fired on the Eustis Hunt Rd. side of the campus.

The two wounded students were rushed to Tacoma General Hospital, where they were listed in serious condition Tuesday night. Sheriff's detective Ed Troyer said the boys were expected to survive.

The sheriff’s office said the suspects were described as multiple black males, and that they fled in a green vehicle, possibly a Chevy Impala. Deputies were actively sweeping the school grounds, but said there was no indication the suspects were on campus.

Deputies said the shooting might be gang-related.

Graham-Kapowsin High, Nelson Elementary and Frontier Middle School were all placed in in lockdown in the immediate aftermath, and Eatonville School District was placed in temporary modified lockdown as a precaution because of proximity to the high school. Students at Graham Elementary were released to their bus with staff supervision, and all after-school activities at the Graham-Kapowsin High School and Frontier were cancelled.

On Tuesday night, the Bethel School District sent the following letter to all parents: