Tulalip Tribes denounce teen gunman in Marysville school shooting

After a widespread outpouring of condolences for teen gunman Jaylen Fryberg from a number of people, the Tulalip Tribes are denouncing the 15-year-old tribal member.

“The Tulalip Tribes denounce the horrific actions of Jaylen Fryberg, who took the lives of two of his classmates and grievously injured three others,” the Tribes said in a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday.

“All of the young people he attacked were his friends, and two were his cousins. Parents and children alike are struggling to understand what caused him to act in such a manner. Even though we may never know why, there can be no justification for taking the lives of others. These were the acts of an individual, not a family, not a tribe,” the statement said.

A surprising number of tributes at a growing memorial at Marysville-Pilchuck High School are directed at Fryberg. But the Tribes said their thoughts and prayers are focused on the shooting victims and their families.

“It is our custom to come together in times of grief. The tribe holds up our people who are struggling through times of loss. We are supporting the family of Jaylen Fryberg in their time of loss, but that does not mean we condone his actions,” the statement said.

“As our communities continue to come together to deal with this tragic event, our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of Zoe Galasso and Gia Soriano. We continue to pray for the recovery of Andrew Fryberg, Nate Hatch and Shaylee Chuckulnaskit and their families,” the statement said.

The statement said the shooting has been a test of the “unity and partnership” between the tribe and the Marysville community, with some schools receiving threats directed at Native children.

“Many of our kids are fearful to return to school, and some parents are reluctant to send them,” the statement said.