LYNNWOOD—First reported by KOMO News, on Tuesday, February 25, a 15-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the groin near Alderwood Mall then later attempted to escape custody at the hospital. A second teen, a 13-year-old boy accompanying the 15-year-old, was also arrested.
Lynnwood Police rushed to the JR Furniture where they discovered a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the groin. The incident took place around 1 p.m. and originally started at the 4000 block of Alderwood Mall Blvd (south side of Alderwood Mall) approximately a quarter mile away from the mall.
Authorities reported that the teen was carrying a firearm tucked into his waistband when it unexpectedly discharged. In a panic, he threw the gun to his 13-year-old friend, and the weapon fired again, though no one was hit by the second shot.
The two boys fled the scene, but the 15-year-old soon collapsed and was discovered outside JR Furniture. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where medical staff described his condition as stable, with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Shortly into their investigation, Lynnwood police received a call from a nearby Target store reporting that 13-year-old boy was inside, discussing the shooting. Officers responded, found the younger teen was connected with the original shooting near Alderwood Mall and had firearm in his knapsack, and arrested him for illegally possessing a firearm.
Later, it came to light that the 15-year-old had an outstanding felony warrant tied to a robbery in King County. While in the emergency room at Harborview, the 15-year-old reportedly resisted officers and tried to flee the hospital.
This recent shooting at the mall comes nearly seven months after the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Jayda Woods-Johnson who was shot and killed allegedly by 16-year-old Samuel Gizaw in the Alderwood Mall Food Court. Woods-Johnson was visiting the Alderwood Mall with friends on July 3, 2024, when she was caught by a stray bullet allegedly fired by Gizaw.
Lynnwood police are still seeking the two suspects involved in the New Year’s Eve shooting near the 19700 block of 68th Ave West that killed a 14-year-old boy and injured another juvenile. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call or email Detective Sattarov at 425-670-5633 or rsattarov@lynnwoodwa.gov. Those who wish to submit their tips anonymously can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.Â
Author: Mario Lotmore
