Just an hour before his 18th birthday, 17-year-old Noah Keith Bagby, a Black/African American male, was fatally shot on July 3, 2024, near his home in Auburn, Washington. He and his sister, Mizanna Journee, were returning from watching fireworks when they were approached by two individuals in the 1700 block of K Street Northeast just after 11 p.m. According to his sister, the individuals asked them some questions before opening fire.
Journee witnessed her brother being shot multiple
times and falling to the ground. Their mother, who was inside their nearby home, initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks. Realizing the horrific reality, she rushed outside and held her son as he took his last breaths. First responders arrived at the scene and performed life-saving measures, but Noah was pronounced deceased at the scene. The King County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that his death was a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
The Auburn Police Department is actively investigating the shooting, which they believe was a targeted attack. Investigators recovered 32 shell casings, bullet fragments, and various articles of clothing from the parking lot where the shooting occurred. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and the police have not released any official suspect descriptions. However, Noah's sister stated that the suspects appeared to be teenagers. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Noah Bagby had graduated from Auburn Mountainview High School just two weeks before his death and had plans to attend a technical college to study HVAC. He was described by his family as a beloved son and brother who had a passion for fishing and was known for his positive influence on his peers. His family and community are left mourning the sudden and tragic loss of a young life on the cusp of adulthood.
