Sheriff: Teen arranged meeting before Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting

The teen who shot five others at Marysville-Pilchuck High School Friday arranged the lunch meeting where they were all seated together, according to Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary.

Investigators have determined Jaylen Fryberg, 15, invited the teens via text message to the cafeteria where the shooting took place.

“Witnesses confirmed that the five victims were at the table when the shooter opened fire, striking the victims before turning the gun on himself,” Trenary said at a briefing Monday afternoon.

Trenary said he has no knowledge of a suicide note left behind by Fryberg, and investigators are combing through vast amounts of phone records and text messages.

The shooting killed Zoe Galasso, 14 and Gia Soriano, 14. Fryberg also shot his cousins Nate Hatch, 14, and Andrew Fryberg, 15. Fryberg remains in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center. Hatch is in satisfactory condition and improving. Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, 14, remains, in critical condition in intensive care at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

Trenary confirmed the weapon used was a .40 caliber Beretta owned by a family member but refused to disclose any further information.

“We are still trying to determine exactly how the shooter obtained the weapon prior to Friday’s shooting,” he said.

Trenary also said despite previous reports, there is no indication a teacher credited with interceding in the shooting, while heroic, had any physical contact with Fryberg.

While detectives are conducting a thorough and painstaking investigation, Trenary cautioned that the actual reason for the shooting might never be known.

“Rather than focusing on why, I’d encourage all of us to focus on the future and that we come together as a community to take time to heal,” he said.