Freeman High School shooting

The Freeman High School shooting occurred on September 13, 2017, at Freeman High School in Rockford, Washington. A 15-year-old male student 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.^[1]

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:00 a.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][1] A school custodian intervened by confronting the shooter and forcing him to drop his weapon, effectively ending the attack.^[6]

One student, identified as Sam Strahan, later died from his injuries, while three others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.^[7] The school was placed on lockdown and later evacuated as police secured the campus.^[1]

The shooter was identified as Caleb Sharpe, 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 of 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]

Sharpe was charged with aggravated murder, attempted murder, and multiple counts of assault with a firearm. In 2018, a judge ruled that he would be tried as an adult under Washington law due to the seriousness of the crimes.^[10]

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]

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.^[1] Vigils and memorial gatherings were held in the local community to honor the victim and support those injured.^[13]

The actions of the school custodian who intervened were widely praised by law enforcement officials and community leaders, who credited him with preventing further loss of life.^[6] The shooting renewed national discussions regarding school safety, Depression in childhood and adolescence, and gun violence in the United States.^[1]

• List of school shootings in the United States
• School shootings in the United States
• Gun violence in the United States
• School violence