Teacher Meagan Silberberger tried to stop a teen gunman from shooting himself after he shot and killed several other students in Marysville-Pilchurck High School's cafeteria. The moments after the shooting can be heard in a chilling 911 call. VPC
SEATTLE — A teacher tried to stop a teen gunman from shooting himself after he shot and killed several other students in a high school cafeteria, 911 tapes reveal.
In one of more than a dozen tapes released Wednesday by police, teacher Megan Silberberger called 911 immediately after the Oct. 24 shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. She told the operator she was sitting next to the shooter, Jaylen Fryberg, who had already turned the gun on himself.
"I'm looking at him ... I need help. I need help now," Silberberger said. "He's laying on other students. I tried to stop him before he shot himself."
A total of five teens, including the shooter, died in the rampage. The other victims are Andrew Fryberg, 15; Gia Soriano, 14; Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, 14; and Zoe Galasso, 14.
Nate Hatch, 14, who was shot in the jaw, underwent a series of surgeries for his injuries. Both he and Andrew Fryberg were cousins of the shooter.
Below is the transcript of the call made by Silberberger, who was nearby when Fryberg opened fire.
(Megan Silberberger) "911, we have a shooting. Marysville-Pilchuck High School Cafeteria. The shooter…we have many injured. Marysville-Pilchuck High School. We need emergency right away. Cafeteria, large cafeteria. My name is Megan Silberberger, I'm a teacher. Megan Silberberger, can you still hear me?"
(911) "We already have the fire department and the police department in route."
(Megan) "OK, I am in the cafeteria. I have the shooter, one shooter…blood is everywhere. I do not see the gun (unintelligible)"
(911) "Do you have a description of the shooter?"
(Megan) "I'm looking at him. I need help. I need help now. He's right here. He's wearing all black. I'm staring at him right now, sitting next to him (unintelligible). Black pants, black shoes. Black pants, black shoes, black jacket. He's laying on other students. I need help…"
(911) "Is he a white male, black male, Hispanic male?"
(Megan) "Hispanic male. Hispanic male. He is a high school student. I do not know how old he is. I tried to stop him before he shot himself. I do not know his name."
(911) "OK. You say he shot himself?"
(Megan) "He shot himself. Many are down. I do not know how many are down. OK, we need a…"
(911) "We have already advised the police department and the fire department."
(Megan) "I tried to stop him. OK."
(911) "OK. Are you with the fire department or the police department?"
(Megan) "I have one police officer with me, police officer Southerland."
(911) "OK, speak with the officer, OK?"
(Megan) "Police Officer Southerland, OK."
(911) "OK, speak with the officer."
(Megan) "OK."
(911) "Thank you."
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