On September 13, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at Freeman High School in Rockford, Washington, United States. The perpetrator, 15-year-old Caleb Sharpe, opened fire inside the school, killing one student and injuring three others before being subdued by a school employee. The incident prompted a lockdown of the school and a large law enforcement response.[2]
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:00a.m. local time as students were changing classes between periods. The suspect carried a duffel bag containing an AR-15–style rifle and ammunition into a school hallway. The rifle reportedly suffered a malfunction while the suspect attempted to load a bullet into the chamber. The suspect then pulled a handgun out of his coat and fired into the hallway, striking several students.[4][2] A school custodian Joe Bowen intervened by confronting the shooter and forcing him to drop his weapon, effectively ending the attack.[5]
One student, identified as Sam Strahan, later died from his injuries, while three others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.[6] The school was placed on lockdown and later evacuated as police secured the campus.[2]
Perpetrator
The shooter was identified as Caleb Sharpe (born October 10, 2001),[7] a 15-year-old student at the school. According to court documents, Sharpe brought an AR-15–style rifle and a handgun onto campus, though only the pistol was fired during the attack.[8]
Investigators stated that Sharpe had experienced bullying and social isolation, which were cited as contributing factors to the shooting, though no single motive was officially established.[8]
Sharpe had an extensive online activity prior to the shooting, including a YouTube channel. A video uploaded by Sharpe in June 2017 showed him and a friend simulating a shootout.[9] A friend of Sharpe claimed that he was "weird" and was obsessed with documentaries surrounding school shootings and the show Breaking Bad.[9]
In 2023, Sharpe pleaded guilty to multiple charges, avoiding a jury trial. He was sentenced to a prison term of 40 years, with the possibility of parole after serving the mandatory minimum required by state law.[11] This sentence was later changed to a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years.[12]
Aftermath
Following the shooting, the Freeman School District canceled classes and provided counseling and mental health services to students, staff, and families affected by the incident.[2]Vigils and memorial gatherings were held in the local community to honor the victim and support those injured.[13]
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