15-year-old boy fatally shot in Seattle’s Central District identified

SEATTLE— The 15 year old boy who was fatally shot in the Central District neighborhood Monday evening was identified by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The boy, identified as Soloman Taylor, died of a gunshot wound to the torso, according to KCME.

The medical examiner continued to note that Taylor’s cause of death was homicide.

Taylor was a freshman at Garfield High School in Seattle. Garfield sent the following message to his families and staff on Wednesday morning:

Today is a sad day for our school and community as we have learned of the tragic loss of one of our students. We learned that this family was part of the Interagency community.

Out of respect for the family’s request for confidentiality during this difficult time, I will not share any additional information regarding the details of this incident.

The safety of students and staff is our top priority. I know that the student(s) may be experiencing feelings of fear, anxiety and anger about this incident. Please know that we are doing everything we can to support our students and employees. We encourage families to talk to students about their feelings. Additionally, talking about loss can be a healthy way for students to understand their feelings and reactions.

The note to parents and staff also provided information on how to process grief and how students can cope with grief.

“In devastating times like these, we are reminded of the incredibly supportive and caring community we are fortunate to be a part of at Interagency,” Garfield High School wrote in the email. “This loss underscores the need for us to grieve and heal together. Interagency is a strong community and we are here for each other.”

Seattle police said on Oct. 28 around 7:40 p.m., their 911 dispatch center received a call reporting shots fired at the intersection of 27th Avenue and E Spring St. When officers arrived, they found the 15-year-old boy suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers then attempted life-saving measures, but the boy ultimately died from his injuries. A spokesperson for the Seattle Police Department confirmed to KOMO News that they had received reports of a vehicle speeding away from the scene. However, there is no suspect or vehicle description at this time.

Whether the incident was a drive-by or not is unclear at this time.

More than a dozen shell casings were found at the scene, according to SPD.