The latest from Seattle Police on the hunt for Garfield’s apprentice killer

SEATTLE – The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said Tuesday that investigators are continuing to search for the person who shot and killed 17-year-old Amarr Murphy-Paine outside Garfield High School on June 6. However, detectives say they cannot make arrests based on social media posts alone.

The department is coordinating efforts with the Community Violent Crimes Task Force, the FBI, ATF, DEA and several other local agencies. A significant challenge for investigators is combing through significant amounts of digital data, including video and cell phone recordings. The process of accessing this information requires complex and multiple search warrants.

Officials responded to questions from the public about the role of social media in the investigation. SPD, being aware of the existence of information on various platforms, emphasized the need to verify this type of second-hand materials. Moreover, simply having social media information does not enable law enforcement to obtain the necessary search warrants or establish probable cause for an arrest.

SPD is reaching out to the community, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. Citizens are strongly encouraged to contact the SPD Tip Line at 206-233-5000 for any information. Doing so will not only speed up the verification process, but will also assist in obtaining search warrants required for further investigation.

What led to the shooting at Garfield High School?

The tragic incident occurred at lunchtime when Murphy-Paine was reportedly trying to break up an argument between the shooting suspect and another person.

According to Deputy Chief Eric Barden, after attempting to intervene, Murphy-Paine left, but the suspect approached him and shot him multiple times.

After the shooting, which occurred around 12:45 p.m., police arrived and discovered the student had serious injuries. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center and underwent surgery, but died from his wounds.

In the wake of the violence, Garfield High School was closed and two neighboring schools issued shelter-in-place orders as a precaution. School classes were canceled on Friday and Monday; classes resumed on June 11.

Police described the suspect as a high school-age male who fled the scene and has not yet been apprehended. It is not certain whether the suspect is a student at the school.

Second shooting this year near Garfield High School

The incident was the second act of gun violence to occur at the school this year; In March, a student was shot in the leg outside Garfield High while waiting at a bus stop.

As of June 11, a verified gofundme for the Amarra family had raised more than $36,000.

Seattle’s city government responds to gun violence

In response to the shooting, Mayor Bruce Harrell emphasized the disturbing impact such events have on young people, stating at a news conference: “I cannot use the word ‘trauma’ enough to describe what our children are going through.” Our children deserve it. better.”

Sue Rahr, interim chief of the Seattle Police Department, assured the community that the Seattle Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of students and local residents in the area.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they search for the suspect.

Police encourage anyone with information to call the Seattle Police Department’s tip line immediately at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

This is a developing story; check for updates.

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