David Sandoval-Hilarios was a 14-year-old freshman at Mariner High School when he was shot and killed in Everett, Washington on October 4, 2017. Police described the killing as gang-related and the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death homicidal violence. David was shot in the chest and died at a local hospital.

According to court records, an earlier confrontation that day at a south Everett middle school involved a 13-year-old who reportedly confronted David about his blue shoes and flashed a gun. About an hour later the two encountered each other at the Walden Pond Apartments; the 13-year-old was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder and held at the Denney Juvenile Justice Center. Investigators say the 13-year-old borrowed a 9mm from a 12-year-old, later led police to the weapon wrapped in a blue bandana, and that witnesses said he had pointed the gun at several people and called himself lil shooter.

David is remembered by family and friends as caring, funny and generous, and as a volunteer who helped prepare soccer fields for younger children through Hand in Hand. His father, Marcos Sandoval, said David was not in a gang and believes the killing was over the color of his shoes.

If anyone knew David or has information about what happened that day, please share what you know.