Jaylen Fryberg and the 2014 Marysville Pilchuck High School Shooting
Background
Jaylen Ray Fryberg was a 15-year-old freshman at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. He was born on July 31, 1999, and was a member of the Tulalip Tribes. Fryberg participated in football and wrestling and had recently been named the freshman homecoming prince. Classmates generally described him as popular, sociable and closely connected to his family and friends.
Despite that outward appearance, Fryberg reportedly experienced emotional and interpersonal problems during the weeks preceding the attack. His social media posts became increasingly despondent and referred to rejection, anger and strained relationships. Some reports connected his distress to a romantic dispute involving classmates, although investigators did not establish one definitive motive for the shooting.
Planning the Attack
On the morning of October 24, 2014, Fryberg contacted several friends and relatives and invited them to meet him for lunch in the cafeteria at Marysville Pilchuck High School. Some of the students were reportedly encouraged to leave or skip class so they could be at the cafeteria table at the same time.
Shortly before the shooting, Fryberg sent a group text message to members of his family and to relatives of the students he intended to confront. In the message, he apologized for what he was preparing to do and reportedly expressed wishes concerning his funeral. The communication indicated that the shooting was planned rather than a sudden, spontaneous outburst.
The Cafeteria Shooting
At approximately 10:39 a.m. on October 24, 2014, students were gathered for lunch inside the Marysville Pilchuck High School cafeteria. About 150 people were reportedly in the room. Fryberg entered carrying a .40-caliber Beretta Px4 Storm Subcompact semiautomatic pistol that belonged to his father.
The students Fryberg had invited were seated together at a cafeteria table. Fryberg initially sat elsewhere before approaching their table. Witnesses reported that he displayed a blank expression and fired repeatedly at the small group from close range. He did not fire indiscriminately throughout the cafeteria; the attack was concentrated on students with whom he had close personal or family relationships.
Fryberg fired at least eight rounds. Five students were struck, most suffering devastating wounds to the head. Zoë Galasso was killed at the scene. Four other students were transported to hospitals, where three later died. Nate Hatch, one of Fryberg's cousins, survived after being wounded in the jaw.
Social studies teacher Megan Silberberger attempted to intervene as Fryberg handled the weapon after shooting the students. Investigators later determined that Fryberg deliberately turned the handgun on himself and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead inside the cafeteria.
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