Marysville school shooter sent message to parents moments before opening fire, law enforcement sources say



EVERETT -- The 14-year-old student who shot classmates at Marysville-Pilchuck High School sent a message to his parents moments before Friday's shooting, law enforcement sources said.

Freshman Jaylen Fryberg, 14, sent the message to his parents, and also texted a photo of of himself with a gun to his ex-girlfriend before the shooting, the sources said. Fryberg then met his friends at a lunch table and opened fire. Fryberg had arranged to meet with his friends at lunch, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said.

Two students, 14-year-old Gia Soriano and 14-year-old Zoe Galasso, as well as Fryberg, died from gunshot wounds.

Three other victims are still in the hospital. Andrew Fryberg, 15, is in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center and remains in intensive care. Nate Hatch, 14, is in satisfactory condition at Harborview. Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, 14, is at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett in critical condition with a head wound.

Officials also confirmed Monday that the gun used in the shooting was a .40-caliber Beretta legally purchased and registered by a family member. It is not yet known how Fryberg got the gun, Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary said.

Trenary recognizes that students, the community and the media will continue to ask “why” Fryberg opened fire on his friends and classmates. But Trenary said the “why” could take some time to establish, if it can ever be established at all.

Now is the time to focus on healing, he said.

“I don’t know that ‘why’ is something we can provide,” Trenary said. “Sometimes the why is elusive, and it’s more important to focus on the pain and anguish that these families are feeling.”

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Marysville School District Superintendent Becky Berg plan to update the media at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, just before a planned parental meeting at 7 p.m. There, parents of students at Marysville-Pilchuck High School will get a chance to ask the city and school district all of their questions relating to the shooting.

Some parents have voiced concerns that they can't come to many memorials set up because they fear being hounded by the media. Those concerns will be addressed Tuesday night, officials said.

As many area businesses and organizations reach out to help students of the high school, the Seattle Times reported that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has extended an offer to the school's football team to hold practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.

It is not yet known when the team will work out there. but the offer was extended in hopes of bringing the students and community a slight bit of healing in such trying times, Carroll told the Times.

"Our hearts just opened immediately to try to help in any way that we can," Carroll told the Seattle Times.

Classes at Marysville-Pilchuck High School are canceled through at least this week.

Marysville police announced Sunday they plan to boost their presence in all other area schools. An officer will be assigned to individual secondary schools, as well as random, drop-in visits at elementary schools.They plan an increased presence throughout the week, Marysville police said.

Various vigils are planned throughout the week. Stay tuned with Q13 FOX News for the latest on upcoming vigils and news surrounding the Marysville school shooting.

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