March 21 Update: The principal at St. Francis school has informed parents that the 14-year-old student injured on Monday was struck by a .22 caliber bullet.
Our news partner Q-13 Fox had more details:
http://q13fox.com/2013/03/20/14-year-old-burien-girl-shot-while-walking…
March 20 Update: The 14-year-old Burien girl who was hit with a bullet or pellet while walking home from St. Francis School on Monday has been released from Harborview and is doing well at home.
Police still don't know what struck her. An x-ray is planned to try to determine whether it was a bullet or a pellet.
No suspects have been identified as yet.
Here is our previous coverage:
An 8th grade girl, 14 years old, from St. Francis of Assisi School in Burien was shot and injured in an apparent drive-by shooting near the school today, March 18. She is being treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She is reported to be in stable condition.
She was hit by either a pellet or a small-caliber bullet, the King County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Highline Times news partner Q13Fox had more details:
"King County sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindi West said deputies were called to the 16600 block of 21st Ave. SW in Burien at about 3:45 p.m. The victim was walking home with at least one other student when they heard a pop and she felt a pain in her stomach area.
She was initially taken to Highline Hospital and transferred to Harborview Medical Center. She is in good condition, West said.
The kids reported a red car in the area, but deputies have not been able to confirm that the shot came from the car, West said.
A letter was sent out to parents from St. Francis Principal Rosemary Leifer:
“Dear Families,
“Today one of our eighth graders was shot as she and two other students walked home from school. The police reported that an object (a bullet or a pellet) entered the side of her torso. The officer said she was calm and able to talk about what happened. She is in stable condition and on her way to Harborview so that the object can be removed.
“I talked with the girl’s mom and she wanted to make sure that parents knew what happened as soon as possible. The shooting was entirely random. It happened on 21st Ave SW about 10 blocks from school near the student’s home. The boys who were with her said that the shot came from the passenger side of a red car. The police are investigating the incident.
“Until we know more I would encourage you to drive or arrange for your children to be driven to and from school. Please drop-off and pick-up your children in the carpool area. Please do not have your children meet you in front of or across from the school at the minimart on 21st Ave SW. They should stay on the playground.
“Thank you for your help with this. We all want to keep our children safe. I know that your prayers go out with mine for the victim and her family.”
