On November 8, 2022, 17-year-old Ebenezer Haile, a Black or African American student at Ingraham High School in Seattle, was shot and killed in a hallway after a fight that began in a school bathroom. The altercation reportedly began over an accusation that Haile had stolen a cell phone. After the initial confrontation between Haile, his friends, and the suspect with his friends, a 14-year-old student pulled a handgun from a backpack and fired multiple times, striking Haile. He died shortly after emergency responders arrived.

The 14-year-old was identified and arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm; he later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and assault and is expected to remain in juvenile rehabilitation until he turns 21. A 15-year-old was also charged in connection with the incident and pleaded guilty in 2023 to unlawful possession of a firearm and rendering criminal assistance. A month before the shooting, the 14-year-old had been found at school with a knife and a BB gun and had reportedly threatened other students.

Ebenezer Haile’s family has sued Seattle Public Schools, alleging the district knew of the shooter’s prior violent behavior and failed to protect students. Does anyone have information about Ebenezer’s life at school or the events that led up to that day?