UPDATE: Police arrest Meadowdale High student in park shooting

UPDATED MARCH 10

On Monday, March 9, detectives with the Lynnwood Police Department, working with the department’s Special Operations Section, located and arrested a 15-year-old male student from Meadowdale High School in connection with a shooting that occurred at Meadowdale Neighborhood Park March 6.

The investigation determined the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between two groups of students who had arranged to meet at the park after school for a fight, according to Lynnwood PD Cmdr. Joe Dickinson. During the encounter, the suspect arrived in a vehicle, got out, and fired multiple rounds, striking another 15-year-old student twice.

The victim, a male, was not at the scene when police arrived. He had fled on foot and was later located a few blocks away at a neighbor’s house. He was treated at the scene before being taken to Harborview Medical Center.

The victim has been released from the hospital and is recovering.

Detectives and members of the Special Operations Section worked throughout the weekend following investigative leads that ultimately led to the suspect’s identification and arrest, Dickinson said. While he added that the suspect is believed to have gang affiliations, investigators cannot definitively state that the incident itself was gang-related.

The suspect was booked into Denney Juvenile Justice Center on charges of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and drive-by shooting. The drive-by shooting charge stems from the suspect’s use of a vehicle in the crime.

The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered. This remains an active investigation, and detectives will continue coordinating with the school district and the prosecutor’s office as the case moves forward, Dickinson said.

“Violence is never acceptable, yet it continues to impact the youth of our City,” Lynnwood Mayor George Hurst said in a statement. “We must work together as a community to address the root causes of this type of brutality in Lynnwood.

The high school, as well as Meadowdale middle and elementary schools, and Beverly Elementary, were briefly on lockdown.

“We know that hearing about an incident like this can be upsetting for students, families, and staff,” Edmonds School District assistant superintendent wrote in a note to parents and guardians.

“Please know that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we are grateful for the quick response from law enforcement and for the cooperation of our school community during the lockdowns.”

ORIGINAL STORY

On March 6 at about 1:30 p.m., officers with the Lynnwood Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Meadowdale Neighborhood Park, 5700 168^th St. SW, Lynnwood.

When officers arrived, according to a Lynnwood PD news release, they located evidence indicating a shooting had occurred; however, the victim was not initially at the scene. The victim had fled on foot and was later located a few blocks away at a neighbor’s house.

As of Monday afternoon, March 9, the search for the suspect and the investigation were still ongoing, said City of Lynnwood spokesperson Nathan MacDonald.

Aid units responded, and the victim was treated at the scene before being transported to Harborview Medical Center for further medical care.

Detectives are actively investigating the incident and will continue working into the evening to identify and locate the suspect. Investigators are currently following multiple leads.

Because this incident occurred near local schools, the Lynnwood Police Department is working closely with the Edmonds School District to ensure the continued safety and well-being of students, staff, and the surrounding community.

Additional patrols may be present in the area in the coming days.  This appears to be an isolated incident with no immediate danger to the public. 

Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have additional information is asked to contact Lynnwood Police Detectives at crimetips@lynnwoodwa.gov

Here is information from the Edmonds School District on a reported shooting March 6 near Meadowdale Park:

Dear Meadowdale HS, Meadowdale MS, Meadowdale Elementary, and Beverly Elementary Families:

I’m writing to share information about a concerning incident that occurred at Meadowdale Park this afternoon that prompted lockdowns at Meadowdale High School, Meadowdale Middle School, Meadowdale Elementary, and Beverly Elementary.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., those schools were placed into a lockdown due to a reported shooting at nearby Meadowdale Park while law enforcement responded.

According to police, the incident involved two Meadowdale High School students. One youth was shot and later called 911 from their home. They were then transported to Harborview Medical Center. The suspected shooter left the area in a vehicle, and Lynnwood Police are investigating the incident.

While police investigated nearby, students and staff who were still on campus at the schools that had already dismissed for the day, and those still at the schools that were still in session, followed safety procedures and remained inside the building.

The lockdown was lifted at approximately 2:05 p.m. once law enforcement determined there was no ongoing threat to our schools. Beverly Elementary and Meadowdale Elementary were then dismissed.

We know that hearing about an incident like this can be upsetting for students, families, and staff. Please know that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we are grateful for the quick response from law enforcement and for the cooperation of our school community during the lockdowns. We will continue to work with the Lynnwood Police Department as they investigate this incident.

We encourage families to check in with their students this evening, as they may have questions or feelings about what happened. School counselors will be available on Monday for any students who would like to talk or need additional support.

Thank you for your partnership in helping keep our school community safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Schwab
Assistant Superintendent