Marysville Pilchuck School Shooting: Fourth Victim Andrew Fryberg Has Died

The fourth victim in the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting has died. Andrew Fryberg, 15, struggled for life for two weeks in the hospital, after his “brother-like” cousin shot him in the back of the head at point-blank range.

Andrew Fryberg’s girlfriend, Zoe Galasso, 14, and the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooter Jaylen Fryberg, 15, died at the scene. School shooting victims Gia Soreno and Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, both 14, also died days after the October 24 incident in a local hospital. Nate Hatch, also a cousin to teen gunman Jaylen Fryberg, is the lone survivor of the school shooter. The teenager was shot in the jaw and not the head like the rest of Jaylen Fryberg’s victims.

Hatch’s condition was reportedly upgraded from critical to serious. Gia Soriano was taken off life support on October 26. On October 31, Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting victim Shaylee Chuckulnaskit succumbed to her gunshot wounds.

Jaylen Fryberg, Andrew Frybeg, and Nate Hatch were reportedly very close, and all grew up together in the Tulip Tribe. The tribe is one of the largest and most successful Native American communities in the United States. The Tulip Tribe settlement is located about 30 minutes from Seattle, Washington.

Andrew Fryberg’s family issued a statement after his death from the intensive care ward at Harborview Medical Center. The family said the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting victim’s wounds were just too grave to overcome.

“We express our thanks for the amazing support from the community, as well as from everyone around the world that have been praying for us all through this tragic event,” the Fryberg family said. “We also want to say a special thank you to all the amazing staff that have cared for our son and brother here in the pediatric intensive care unit at Harborview. Our family is overwhelmed with the love and care that has been provided to our loved one during this time and you all will forever hold a special place in our hearts. But we also ask that you respect our privacy at this time of our deep loss.”

Andrew Hatch is now reportedly able to walk and communicate with family and friends. Jaylen Fryberg reportedly lured his five closet friends to their table in the cafeteria via text before the shooting. The group has been described as inseparable and had recently enjoyed celebrating the annual school homecoming together – posing for keepsake photos arm-in-arm and all smiles.

Nate Hatch posted this on social media after hearing his friend, Andrew Fryberg, had died.

“R.I.P Andrew Martin Lee Fryberg. I hope you like it up there and we will some day reunite. You were my other half, you were my brother we were supposed to conquer this life together. I can’t even begin to imagine life without you. I love you so much and I will live every day thinking about you. You’ll be watching over me and you’ll always be in my heart. Nothing seems to make sense at this time.”

The motive for the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting remains unknown. Jaylen Fryberg was a popular student and a football player. He had recently returned from a team suspension after getting into a fight with another player. Friends and relatives are disputing claims that Jaylen had a crush on Andrew’s girlfriend, Zoe.

What do you think about the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting?

[Images via: Facebook/Twitter/Daily Mail]