A juvenile from Tacoma was reportedly shot outside of the Lincoln High School on Tuesday following reports of gunshots in the area.
So far, police authorities have not yet taken anyone into custody as official investigation into the case continues. It is also unclear whether or not the victim was a student at the school or from another area.
Juvenile Shot Outside of Lincoln High School
Tacoma Police Department Sgt. John Correa reported that a staff member at Lincoln High School was the one who called 911. However, the employee did hear the gunshots themselves but heard from another party.
Shortly after police were alerted about the incident, a nearby business also called authorities to report a "juvenile victim" who showed up at their doorstep with gunshot wounds. Officers who responded to the scene found the victim on South G Street, who was said to have non-life-threatening injuries.
The official investigation forced authorities to close off South 37th and South G streets to let personnel work. So far, authorities are still in the dark about what led up to the shooting and there is no description of the suspect that has been given, according to Komo News.
Correa said that the shooting in front of the high school was "very concerning," noting that the incident occurred at the end of the school day and the end of the school year. He added that Tacoma Public Schools currently have their graduations going on at the Tacoma Dome.
Fortunately, the police department already has its end-of-school-year plan, and starting Thursday, operations will begin. The plan involves various officers being assigned to each of the school areas to monitor the situations within their respective vicinities.
School Enters Modified Lockdown
Shortly after the shooting, Lincoln High School went into a modified lockdown as part of safety protocols to protect the students. Tacoma Public Schools chief communications officer Tanisha Jumper said they have no statement to give out since there is an active investigation being conducted, The News Tribune reported.
Additionally, one police sergeant, who was on their way to respond to the shooting, was involved in a car crash with other vehicles. Correa said he was unable to confirm just how many other cars were part of that secondary incident.
After the crash, Tacoma Fire personnel transported two injured victims to a local hospital to be treated for their wounds. Due to the active crime scene, Buddy's Chicken and Waffles on South G Street posted on its Instagram account that it closed early to keep its employees safe, as per Yahoo News.
