City honors slain Garfield High student as 2024 shooting goes unsolved

June 2024’s vigil (Image: Converge Media with permission to CHS)

June 6th will be Amarr A’Shaun Murphy-Paine Day in Seattle.

Two years following the 17-year-old’s killing in a parking lot shooting outside Garfield High School, the city is recognizing the teen’s legacy with the proclamation as the 23rd Ave campus prepares to host events recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness month and an annual blood drive held in Murphy-Paine’s honor.

At Tuesday’s session of the Seattle City Council, the slain teen’s family said they remain focused on a positive mission as they recounted frustrating interactions with the Seattle Police Department amid tearful complaints that not more has been done to bring justice in the case.

“Seattle needs to hear those words,” council president Joy Hollingsworth said as she thanked the family for their resilience.

CHS reported here in June, 2024 from a vigil on the campus sports field as Murphy-Paine was remembered as a dedicated athlete and friend gunned down as he tried to keep the peace. The teen was shot and killed during the school’s lunch break in the parking lot in front of the Quincy Jones Performance Center as police say he was attempting to break up a fight.

There have been no arrests in the case.

The family has sued the school district alleging officials were negligent in their security practices at the 23rd Ave school. That case isn’t scheduled to go to trial until next year.

This week, loved ones will join school and community leaders for two events to mark the anniversary. Thursday will bring a first-time Chalk and Talk including faculty and staff decorating the front steps of Garfield with Gun Violence Awareness Day messages from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Friday will bring the school’s second annual Memorial Blood Drive.

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