Seattle School Shooting Gunman Was Homecoming Royalty

MARYSVILLE, Wash. — A student recently crowned freshman class Homecoming prince walked into his Seattle-area high school cafeteria Friday and opened fire, killing one person and shooting several others in the head before turning the gun on himself, officials and witnesses said.

Students said the gunman was staring at students as he shot them inside the cafeteria at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. The shootings set off a chaotic scene as students ran from the cafeteria and building in a frantic dash to safety while others were told to stay put inside classrooms at the school, 30 miles north of Seattle.

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The gunman was identified as student Jaylen Fryberg, a government official with direct knowledge of the shooting told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Students and parents said Fryberg was a freshman who played on the high school football team. He was introduced at a football game as the school's 2014 Homecoming court freshmen class prince, according to a video shot by parent Jim McGauhey.

Marysville Police Commander Robb Lamoureux said the gunman died of a self-inflicted wound, but he could not provide more details.

Days before the shooting, Fryberg tweeted messages with angry emoji faces and troubling thoughts.

It won't last.... It'll never last....

— Jaylen Fryberg (@frybergj) October 23, 2014

His Instagram account has since been disabled.

Shaylee Bass, 15, a sophomore at the school, said Fryberg had recently gotten into a fight with another boy over a girl.

"He was very upset about that," said Bass, who was shocked by the shooting.

"He was not a violent person," she said. "His family is known all around town. He was very well known. That's what makes it so bizarre."

Team scheduled to play Marysville-Pilchuck tonight for league title forfeits game after Marysville school shooting: http://t.co/72S0meDiOX

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 25, 2014

A Twitter user posted photos featuring Fryberg on Friday afternoon with the caption, "I love you brother" and the crying emoji with a broken heart.

I love you brother