More information has been made public about the mindset of the killer in the days leading up to last year’s deadly shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Five people died, including the shooter, on October 24, 2014. One student was seriously wounded. All were friends of the killer, Jaylen Fryberg.
In response to public records requests, investigators have released 1400 pages of the police investigation, conducted by the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team. The documents detail the chilling messages Jaylen Fryberg sent to his family and friends shortly before pulling out a gun in the school cafeteria. Just moments before he began shooting, Jaylen Fryberg used his cellphone to send a group message to his family saying “I needed to do this. I’m sorry I love you.”
In the text, he also said, “And I need my crew with me.” All of the victims were his close friends.
Gia Soriano, Zoe Galasso, Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, and Andrew Fryberg died. Nate Hatch was shot in the jaw, but survived. Jaylen Fryberg and the victims were high school freshmen.
In a message labeled "My funeral S***" Fryberg details what songs he wants at his funeral and tells his family how he wants them to dress him.
There were disturbing texts in the days leading up to the shooting, as well.
Fryberg's girlfriend had apparently broken up with him and on October 22, two days before the killings, he sent her this message:
"I set the date. Hopefully you regret not talking to me. You have no idea what I’m talking about, but you will. Bang bang, I’m dead.”
In response, according to the documents, she asked him to stop texting her.
After a 9 month investigation, detectives determined that the killings were planned, that Fryberg invited his friends to the cafeteria, even enticing some to skip class to do so.
The investigation did reveal some troubles Fryberg, who was a popular student, was having at school.
Earlier in October, he’d been suspended for a few days after getting in a fight with another football player.
Not all of the investigation records have been made public. The family of the former girlfriend of Jaylen Fryberg sought a restraining order to prevent some records from being released. A Snohomish County judge will hold a hearing on Thursday to determine whether to release those remaining documents.
