Teenager accused of Ingraham High School shooting could face murder charge

The teenager who allegedly shot and killed a person at Ingraham had their first court hearing on Wednesday. Another suspect, also a teen, is accused of assisting in the crime.

Judge Averil Rothrock of the King County Juvenile Court ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge the 14-year-old shooting suspect with three offenses: unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon at a school facility, and murder in the first degree.

Seattle Police say the teenager shot and killed a person at Ingraham High School on Tuesday morning. The suspected shooter and another teenager were arrested together an hour after the attack at a nearby bus stop.

Casey McNerthney from the King County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday’s shooting was a targeted attack.

"Based on what we have so far from Seattle Police investigators, and this case is still ongoing, we believe that there was probable cause for first-degree murder, which is premeditated,” McNerthney said after the hearing.

The second teenager, a 15-year-old, could face two charges: unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree and rendering criminal assistance in the first degree.

Prosecutors said police found a semi-automatic gun in the 15-year-old’s backpack. Shell casings recovered in the school match the caliber of the gun in the backpack, according to police. An empty ammunition magazine was also found with the gun, police say.

The teenager accused of the shooting waived their right to appear in the first court hearing.

The other suspect, however, did appear in court-issued sweats and slippers. His parents were also present and addressed the judge when given the opportunity.

“He’s never been in trouble, he’s just a kid,” the mother said.

“This is not like him at all,” the father added.

The family had recently moved to Seattle from Auburn and the teen had “obviously got with the wrong people,” the father said.

McNerthney noted that neither of the two young people have a previous case that’s been referred to their office.

Prosecutors say they are waiting on a few more documents from Seattle Police before they officially bring charges against the two suspects next week.

Judge Rothrock ruled the two must remain at the jail until their trial and cannot contact each other.

The next charging hearing is set for Monday, Nov. 14.