Seattle Public Schools urges fans at school sporting events to wear white to honor slain students

SEATTLE -- Seattle Public Schools on Wednesday asked all fans attending school sporting events this weekend to wear something white "signifying hope and healing" in the wake of the recent fatal shootings in Marysville and in south Seattle.

"Tragedy has struck two Washington communities in the last week," wrote Eric McCurdy, executive director of athletics for Seattle Public Schools, on the district's Web site.

"We have seen how Marysville-Pilchuck has been affected since last Friday, and earlier this week there was yet another fatal incident right here at home. A student from Aki Kurose Middle School, was killed in Seattle. The grief her friends, classmates and community feel today is immeasurable.

"It is with two significant events in mind, that we ask all of you to join us in honoring the students who lost their lives this weekend," he wrote.

"We ask ALL FANS attending any Seattle school sporting event this weekend to wear something WHITE signifying HOPE and HEALING. This includes fans, parents, students, administrators and staff attending any and all sports contests -- this includes playoff games.

"It is at times like these that we must come together to support one another, even if we aren’t personally affected.  We express our thoughts and prayers by coming together as ONE and wearing WHITE as a symbol of hope for a better tomorrow," the statement said.

At Marysville-Pilchuck High School last Friday, a freshman student opened fire on students in the school cafeteria before taking his own life. Three students were killed and three were seriously injured.

On Monday night, a 78-year-old man shot to death his adult daughter, his 11-year-old granddaughter, Anahlia Cowhead, and then killed himself in a south Seattle home Monday night. Anahlia was a student at Seattle's Aki Kurose Middle School.