MARYSVILLE, Washington — Dozens gathered in heartbreak at a Washington State church Friday night, seeking solace in one another's company just hours after a student opened fire in a cafeteria at Marysville Pilchuck High School, killing one student, wounding others and then killing himself. In a show of solidarity, the entire football team that the school was to have played Friday night showed up in full uniform.
More than 100 people assembled at The Grove Church, hugging and crying, for a prayer service after freshman football player Jaylen Fryberg shot and killed a young girl and wounded four other people as they sat in the Marysville Pilchuck cafeteria just after 10:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. ET). At least three of the victims remained in critical condition Saturday morning, officials said.
The two injured female students — identified as Shaylee Chuckulnaskit and Gia Soriano — were in "very critical condition," officials at Providence Regional Medical Center said Saturday. The "next three days are going to be crucial," they added. One of the male victims, Andrew Fryberg, was also in critical condition, and a second male victim, Nate Hatch, was in serious condition.
"It's times like this we re-evaluate our priorities," Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring said. "The level of support that we have received has shown what a family we have in Washington."
The entire football team from Oak Harbor High School showed up in uniform. They had been scheduled to play Marysville Pilchuck in a playoff game for the division title Friday night, but it was canceled. Becky Cooke Berg, superintendent of the Marysville School District, said Oak Harbor had offered to accept second place out of respect for its opponents.
Amid tears and embraces during the service, parents cheered, "We love our kids!" Then they picked up candles and stood vigil outside.
IN-DEPTH
SOCIAL
— Sofia Jaramillo and M. Alex Johnson
