Sheriff: Marysville school shooter asked victims to meet in cafeteria

MARYSVILLE -- A teenage gunman lured his friends into the Marysville-Pilchuck High School cafeteria with the intention of killing them, investigators said Monday.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said the shooter sent the five victims text messages asking them to meet him just before the shooting.

The shooter, freshman Jaylen Fryberg, pulled a gun and opened fire on the victims Friday morning. He then turned the gun on himself. Two of the victims were killed and three others remain in the hospital.

“The five people were targeted, were invited to the table,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary.

Investigators said the weapon was a .40 caliber Beretta handgun. The gun was legally purchased, registered, and owned by a family member. It is unclear how Fryberg obtained the weapon.

On Monday, investigators only released a few details of the school shooting. However, the sheriff addressed reports that a teacher confronted the shooter. Sheriff Trenary said the teacher did not get into a physical struggle with Fryberg before the teenager killed himself.

Investigators are still working on a motive for the shooting.

“I think the question that everybody wants is ‘why’ and candidly I don’t know that the why is going to be something we can provide,” said Sheriff Trenary.

Sheriff Trenary said investigators are still gathering and reviewing hundreds of witness statements. Due to the complexity of the case, the investigation will take several months, he said.