Tacoma police have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with a shooting that occurred earlier this week near Lincoln High School, an incident that has raised renewed concerns about student safety in the city.
The suspect was taken into custody on Thursday, June 19, following a police investigation that led detectives to develop probable cause. He was booked into the Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of dangerous weapons on school premises, according to a statement from Tacoma Police Department.
Authorities confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered and that no additional suspects are being sought.
The shooting took place Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of South 37th Street and South G Street, just outside Lincoln High School. While the school day was winding down, a staff member notified 911 at approximately 2:49 p.m. after being informed by someone else that gunshots had been heard nearby.
Shortly thereafter, police received a second call from a nearby business reporting that a juvenile male had arrived with gunshot wounds. Officers responded and located the victim around the corner from the school on South G Street. The boy, whose identity has not been released, sustained injuries that were described as non-life-threatening and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Video surveillance reportedly showed the suspect and victim together prior to the shooting, but investigators have yet to determine whether the two teens knew each other.
“This kind of violence is extremely concerning,” said Tacoma Police Department spokesperson Sgt. John Correa. “It happened at the end of the school day and the school year, when we should be focusing on celebrating student achievements, not responding to violent incidents.”
While officers had already been assigned to patrol school zones as part of the department’s end-of-year safety plan, Correa confirmed that no officer had been specifically posted at Lincoln High School at the time of the shooting.
In response to the incident, Tacoma Public Schools placed the school on a temporary modified lockdown, restricting all entry and exit from the building until police secured the scene.
“Shots were fired in front of Lincoln High School at 2:48 p.m.,” the district stated. “911 was immediately called, and Lincoln went into a modified lockdown. Tacoma Police responded quickly and began an investigation. A counselor will be available on site to provide support to students and staff.”
The incident adds to a growing number of shootings in Tacoma this year. As of June 16, the city has recorded nine fatal shootings, according to data from the Tacoma Police Crime Dashboard—surpassing the eight recorded during the same time frame last year.
The investigation remains ongoing.
