Seattle police up presence by Garfield High School after shooting

SEATTLE — Seattle police said they will enhance patrols near Garfield High School after a 17-year-old student was wounded in a drive-by shooting while waiting at a bus stop Wednesday afternoon.

The teenage girl is stable and in satisfactory condition after being shot in the leg while waiting at a bus stop near Ezell’s Famous Chicken on 23rd Avenue, according to police. The gunfire reportedly came from an SUV traveling south on 23rd Avenue before turning onto East Jefferson Street.

Police said Thursday it appears the girl was not the shooter’s target. She told police she didn’t know the person who fired the shots.

“We know there are many concerns from parents, students, teachers and the community surrounding the incident and there are rumors circulating,” the Police Department said on its online blotter. “We are sharing the latest information we have at this time.”

Police Chief Adrian Diaz addressed the shooting at a public safety forum Thursday evening.

“I actually talked to her sister, also a student a Garfield High School,” he said. “It’s such a traumatizing thing for that family.”

The intersection had considerable foot and vehicle traffic when the shots were fired, according to police. Many ran from the area, police said, and those at nearby schools and the Teen Life Center sheltered in place.

The suspect was described as a teenager wearing a camouflage ski mask and driving a light-colored SUV.

Seattle police will continue to have an enhanced presence in the area, the department said.

Police don’t believe the incident is connected to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman a few blocks away Wednesday night.

They ask anyone with information to call the SPD violent crimes tip line at 206-233-5000.