Teen shot outside Tacoma's Lincoln High School on 'last day of school'
Boy shot outside Tacoma's Lincoln High School
Tacoma Police are investigating a shooting that happened right outside Lincoln High School in Tacoma while school was still in session Tuesday afternoon.
TACOMA, Wash. - Tacoma police are investigating a shooting that happened right outside Lincoln High School in Tacoma while school was still in session Tuesday afternoon.
The police department says one teen was injured, and the shooting sent some students outside the school running for cover.
The backstory:
A spokesperson for Tacoma Police says the shooting happened in front of the school at around 3 p.m.
Sergeant John Correa says it's believed shots were fired on South 37th Street, and the teen that was hit somehow made it around the corner and a half-a-block up to Buddy's Chicken off of G Street, where someone spotted him bleeding and called for help.
"It’s crazy, man. It’s crazy," said Cody Stephens, a Lincoln High School senior.
This week was supposed to be a celebratory wrap-up to the school year.
"This is my senior year. This is my last week here," said Stephens.
Instead of a peaceful send-off, it ended in gunfire.
"I seen somebody come out and start shooting, start shooting at two people, then he ran," said Stephens.
Stephens said he was picking up his sister when the shots rang out, causing him to flee alongside a number of others.
"Get out of there man, pop the clutch and get loose," said Stephens.
"It was a couple of shots at first, and I started to see people run away. At first, I thought it wasn’t real," said Josue Osorio, a Lincoln High School senior. "It was really traumatizing for everyone who was around too, for parents, counselors, teachers, everybody."
Sgt. John Correa said Tuesday that Tacoma Police can't confirm whether those involved were students right now, but that is part of the ongoing investigation. On Wednesday, the district said the victim was enrolled earlier this school year but was not a current student.
"Just before school let out, we got a 911 phone call hearing gunshots in the area. Shortly after that, we got another phone call about a juvenile victim who showed up at a nearby business with gunshot wounds," said Correa.
He says a school staff member called 911 after learning shots had been fired on S 37th Street.
"The staff member did not hear or see the shooting, they were advised of the shots," said Sgt. Correa.
He says another person also called 911 after seeing the teen bleeding near Buddy's Chicken.
With graduation scheduled for Wednesday, the students we talked to say they're glad nobody else was hurt, including family and friends.
"I was not expecting this on my last day of school. Definitely a day before graduation as well," said Osorio.
"We were hoping to have a peaceful little ending of the year, and it got pretty crazy," said Stephens.
Tacoma Public Schools sent out a statement.
"At 2:48 PM, shots were fired in front of Lincoln High School. 9-1-1 was immediately called and, as a precaution, Lincoln went into a modified lockdown, which restricts access in and out of the building.
"The district said a counselor will be available on Tuesday to support students and staff.
"Meantime, that person responsible was still on the loose Tuesday night. If you have any information, contact Tacoma Police."
The Source: Information in this story came from the Tacoma Police Department, Tacoma Public Schools and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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