On Facebook, Garfield Bulldog Football is paying tribute to Amarr Murphy-Paine, the 17-year-old who was killed on Thursday.
SEATTLE — One day after a Garfield High School student was shot and killed, students and parents came together to call for change.
“I want to show my respect and love to the victim. The young man we lost yesterday,” said parent Alyssa Marsh. “People that loved this young man are hurting.”
On Facebook, Garfield Bulldog Football is paying tribute to Amarr Murphy-Paine. Police say he attempted to break up a fight but ended up a victim. He was shot multiple times in the school’s parking lot.
“Good kid, just trying to break something up, and this is what happened. A tragic story, very tragic story. These are babies that are dying out here,” said Dominique Davis, the CEO and founder of Community Passageways, a group that works with youth.
“It feels that these events happen, and change doesn’t,” said Marsh.
Her son is supposed to start at Garfield High next school year.
“It should not be part of a kid’s life to have to deal with another shooting,” said parent Eleonore Meli.
Parents took part in a morning march. They said they don’t want to see it happen again. But in the last few months, there’s been at least three shootings close to campus.
“That is pretty heartbreaking to me. I love this school, and I don’t think it is the people in the school. I think it is the people that support our school, the district, people above that aren’t giving care and attention,” said Marsh.
“Just tired of seeing our kids fall like this, right? It is senseless,” said Davis.
“I don’t know how else to make the point heard that something has to change,” said Marsh.
More community members gathered at a candlelight vigil in the evening at the Garfield High School football field, where Murphy-Paine played football.
“We want to celebrate his life and legacy and show the family and community we’re tired of this,” one speaker said at the vigil.
Police are still searching for the killer. They are asking anyone with information to contact the SPD Violent Crime Tip Line at (206) 233-5000, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
On campus, classes were canceled today and will be canceled on Monday as well.
