A teenage boy was injured in a shooting at Meadowdale Park on Friday afternoon, prompting lockdowns at four nearby schools as police searched for a suspect who fled the area in a vehicle.
Lynnwood police responded at 1:24 p.m. to reports of shots fired at the park. The teen who was struck ran from the scene and later called 911 from his home, according to the Edmonds School District. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center and was listed in stable condition.
Police said the incident involved two Meadowdale High School students. The suspected shooter left the area in a vehicle, and no one was in custody as of Friday afternoon. Officers searched the area and are investigating while following up on leads.
Because of the park’s proximity to Meadowdale High School, Meadowdale Middle School, Meadowdale Elementary School, and Beverly Elementary School, the campuses were placed in lockdown at about 1:30 p.m. while law enforcement responded. Students and staff remained inside school buildings and followed safety procedures as officers investigated nearby. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 2:05 p.m. after police determined there was no ongoing threat to the schools. Beverly Elementary and Meadowdale Elementary were then dismissed.
District officials said the incident may have been witnessed by students and acknowledged that the shooting could be upsetting for families and staff. School counselors will be available on Monday for students who would like to talk or need additional support. Police are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information about the shooting to contact the Lynnwood Police Department.
Dr. Greg Schwab, assistant superintendent for the Edmonds School District, sent a message to families Friday afternoon. “We know that hearing about an incident like this can be upsetting for students, families, and staff. Please know that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we are grateful for the quick response from law enforcement and for the cooperation of our school community during the lockdowns,” Schwab wrote. “We encourage families to check in with their students this evening, as they may have questions or feelings about what happened.”
