Kentridge High School, 12430 SE 208th St. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District

Kentridge High School, 12430 SE 208th St. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District

Gun fired during teen fight outside Kentridge High School

Incident occurred Monday evening, Jan. 27 outside gym packed with fans for unified basketball game

Kent Police are looking for a 17-year-old boy who reportedly fired a gun at another teen in the Kentridge High School parking lot Monday evening, Jan. 27 while fans were inside the school gym watching an unified basketball game.

Officers were dispatched at about 7:40 p.m. to the school, 12430 SE 208th St., after a 911 call about a gun being fired outside the school and people running in the parking lot, according to a Jan. 28 Kent Police news release.

Multiple officers arrived at the school and attempted to locate witnesses to the incident, but after speaking with several people in the area, no one admitted to seeing or hearing anything of concern, according to police.

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)

At about 8:09 p.m., however, Kentridge school security called 911 to advise they had found surveillance video of the incident.

The video reportedly showed two teens talking to each other, a physical altercation between the two and one of them pulling out a gun and shooting it at the other one, according to police. Nobody was injured. Both fled the scene.

School security identified both teens from the video, including the shooter as a 17-year-old male and former Kentridge student, according to police. The person he shot at is a current Kentridge student.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla declined to reveal the gender of the student who was shot at.

“While we don’t have any indication that there is future conflict that may occur, it is always difficult to get a clear picture as to who is involved and for what purpose, particularly when it involves our youth,” Padilla said. “Young people sometimes have friend groups that become inspired to take retaliatory action on their behalf. In an effort to minimize this potential, we are not releasing the gender of the victim at this time.”

Detectives are investigating the circumstances that led up to the assault, and actively working to locate the suspect. Kent Police, including its School Resource officers are working with the School Safety Team to provide extra patrols and presence Tuesday, Jan 28 at the high school.

The shooting occurred during halftime of a Pack the Gym event, which features high school students with disabilities paired with student athletes in a basketball game. The gym was filled with fans and the parking lot filled with vehicles. The event began at 5 p.m. with food trucks and the gym opened at 6 p.m. The game started at 7 p.m.

Kentridge Principal Christa Ernst sent an email to the school community Monday evening about the incident.

“We are continuing our investigation working together with our law enforcement partners,” Ernst said in the email. “Students involved will be disciplined in accordance with Kent School District policies. Working with law enforcement and Kent School District Safety Services, it has been determined that this was an isolated incident.”

Ernst said to reassure the Kentridge community that school is safe, there will be a heightened police presence and extra school safety officers on campus Tuesday.

“The safety of our KR community continues to be our highest priority,” Ernst said. “As our investigation continues, we will make sure that those involved are held to account. As always we appreciate your support and advocacy in helping to keep our community safe.”

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or with information regarding the shooter’s location, to email KPDTips@kentwa.gov, call the police tip line at 253-856-5808 or call 911.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO
Man to face sentencing in murder of girlfriend at Kent hotel

A jury convicted Phillip J. Lopez in the 2021 beating death of Amber Keith at Ramada Inn

A mobile center from Bloodworks Northwest takes blood from Enumclaw resident Andy Bremmeyer, pictured in this 2019 photo. Sound Publishing file photo
WA residents urged to donate blood due to ‘code red’ low levels

Four consecutive days of emergency low blood supplies has led to shortages needed for transfusions and treatment.

t
Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 14-25

Incidents include robberies, burglaries, carjackings, stolen vehicles

File Photo
Kent Police arrest woman reportedly trying to break into home

Owner was home and observed woman on security camera trying to open doors

t
King County Council picks Quinn to replace Upthegrove

De’Sean Quinn currently serves on the Tukwila City Council; selected over Keiser and Patterson

Kentridge High School, 12430 SE 208th St. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Gun fired during teen fight outside Kentridge High School

Incident occurred Monday evening, Jan. 27 outside gym packed with fans for unified basketball game

Employees work at Fall City’s Aroma Coffee Co. on Jan. 14, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)
Small businesses brace for higher minimum wage in King County

New wage for unincorporated areas went into effect Jan. 1, but the rules are still being determined.

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Kent mayor, police chief discuss immigration enforcement

No changes planned in city after Trump signs executive orders to arrest immigrants

t
Kent man, 84, dies in two-vehicle crash along 104th Ave. SE

Truck flipped on driver’s side after Monday morning, Jan. 27 collision

Phoenix Court Apartments, 23913 111th Pl. SE in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Phoenix Court Apartments
City of Kent drops lawsuit against Phoenix Court Apartments

Reaches agreement with apartment owners for safety measures to reduce crime at complex

t
Kent Police arrest man who fired shots at another man on West Hill

Nobody hit by shots in early Friday, Jan. 24 incident

Jeffrey Nelson receives his sentence Jan. 23 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/Sound Publishing
Former Auburn cop sentenced to 16 years, 8 months for murder

A jury convicted him in June 2024 for second-degree murder after shooting Jesse Sarey in 2019