Teen shot near Garfield High School; police still looking for suspect

SEATTLE -- Seattle police are still searching for a gunman who shot a teenager Monday afternoon near Garfield High School.

Just before  4 p.m, officers received reports of a shooting at the Garfield Teen Life Center near the intersection of 23rd Avenue and E. Cherry Street.

A 17-year-old victim was found shot in the arm, police said. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment., and is expected to recover.



Officers searched the area for a suspect described as a black male in his mid-late teens, wearing a black and white polo shirt with black jeans. The suspect was not immediately found, and investigation is ongoing.

Officials do not know what led to the shooting.

Some students still in the area, and in the school, were confused when they heard there was a shooting a stone's throw away.

"Teachers kept telling us that you can't leave and we weren't hiding or anything," Garfield High School student Sage said. "But they just told us to stay in the commons and we couldn't go anywhere."

Parents who heard of the shooting, and those living nearby, were on also on edge Monday.

"I live pretty near here so it makes me a little uncomfortable walking around here in the afternoon," said area resident Diana Jacobsmeyer.

The Teen Life Centers, where the injured teen was found, offers a wide array of programming for young adults, including computer labs, recording studios and cooking classes.