Newly released Marysville 911 calls include student witness

MARYSVILLE — She asked the emergency dispatcher if a police officer was going to find them.

The girl and 17 others were crammed inside what she described as an abandoned closet in an art room at Marysville Pilchuck High School on Oct. 24.

A freshman had opened fire inside a cafeteria. His actions ended the lives of five young people, including his own. A sixth, who was shot in the jaw, survived.

The last of the calls to 911 from that morning were released Tuesday by SNOPAC, the dispatch center that serves much of Snohomish County.

The shootings remain under investigation by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, a special task force of homicide detectives typically assigned to investigate police-involved shootings. The investigation is expected to take months.

The girl hiding in the closet gave the dispatcher her phone number. A police officer would call her. Pick up the phone, the dispatcher said.

The girl’s voice trembled as she said goodbye.

Other students told dispatchers they were in the cafeteria when the gunfire broke out.

“There is what at the high school?” a dispatcher asked a boy.

“Gunshots, in the cafeteria,” he said.

“Anyone injured?”

“Yeah, this kid, he shot a couple of kids, I’m pretty sure,” the boy answered.

Did he see where the students were shot?

“No. I saw kids just drop to the ground, at the cafeteria table.”

Another boy, hiding in a classroom with eight other students, said he ran out of the lunch room. He told the dispatcher that Jaylen Fryberg, a freshman, was the shooter. He had a black handgun, the boy said.

“If it was Jaylen, I know him. He didn’t seem …” he began to tell the dispatcher, but was interrupted with a question about what weapons may have been used.

The boy didn’t know the names of the injured.

“I think four people were hit or more,” he said.

Killed were Zoe Galasso, Gia Soriano, and Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, all 14, and Andrew Fryberg, 15. Nate Hatch, 14, survived.

The boy hiding in the classroom told the dispatcher no one with him was hurt. They were safe, he said. He wasn’t hearing anymore gunfire.

“I don’t want you to open that door. OK?”

Reporters Rikki King, Eric Stevick and Scott North contributed to this story.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Girl, 11, missing from Lynnwood

Sha’niece Watson’s family is concerned for her safety, according to the sheriff’s office. She has ties to Whidbey Island.

A cyclist crosses the road near the proposed site of a new park, left, at the intersection of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett to use $2.2M for Holly neighborhood’s first park

The new park is set to double as a stormwater facility at the southeast corner of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge elevator after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator last week, damaging the cables and brakes. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Grand Avenue Park Bridge vandalized, out of service at least a week

Repairs could cost $5,500 after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator on April 27.

Jamel Alexander stands as the jury enters the courtroom for the second time during his trial at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Second trial in Everett woman’s stomping death ends in mistrial

Jamel Alexander’s conviction in the 2019 killing of Shawna Brune was overturned on appeal in 2023. Jurors in a second trial were deadlocked.

(Photo provided by Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Federal Way Mirror)
Everett officer alleges sexual harassment at state police academy

In a second lawsuit since October, a former cadet alleges her instructor sexually touched her during instruction.

Michael O'Leary/The Herald
Hundreds of Boeing employees get ready to lead the second 787 for delivery to ANA in a procession to begin the employee delivery ceremony in Everett Monday morning.

photo shot Monday September 26, 2011
Boeing faces FAA probe of Dreamliner inspections, records

The probe intensifies scrutiny of the planemaker’s top-selling widebody jet after an Everett whistleblower alleged other issues.

A truck dumps sheet rock onto the floor at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace transfer station station closed for most of May

Public Works asked customers to use other county facilities, while staff repaired floors at the southwest station.

Traffic moves along Highway 526 in front of Boeing’s Everett Production Facility on Nov. 28, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / Sound Publishing)
Frank Shrontz, former CEO and chairman of Boeing, dies at 92

Shrontz, who died Friday, was also a member of the ownership group that took over the Seattle Mariners in 1992.

(Kate Erickson / The Herald)
A piece of gum helped solve a 1984 Everett cold case, charges say

Prosecutors charged Mitchell Gaff with aggravated murder Friday. The case went cold after leads went nowhere for four decades.

Boeing firefighters union members and supporters hold an informational picket at Airport Road and Kasch Park Road on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
After bargaining deadline, Boeing locks out firefighters union in Everett

The union is picketing for better pay and staffing. About 40 firefighters work at Boeing’s aircraft assembly plant at Paine Field.

Andy Gibbs, co-owner of Andy’s Fish House, outside of his restaurant on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City: Campaign can’t save big tent at Andy’s Fish House in Snohomish

A petition raised over 6,000 signatures to keep the outdoor dining cover — a lifeline during COVID. But the city said its hands are tied.

South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman at South County Fire Administrative Headquarters and Training Center on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Buy, but don’t light: South County firework ‘compromise’ gets reconsidered

The Snohomish County Council wants your thoughts on a loophole that allows fireworks sales, but bans firework explosions south of Everett.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.