Former SMU student killed

The Olympian, News Services • Published September 05, 2008

A former Saint Martin's University student and track team member was killed Wednesday at an apartment on Tacoma's South End, police reported.

No arrests have been reported. Investigators do not believe the shooting was random and suspect robbery might have been a motive.

"They were targeted," Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

Former SMU student Joshua Thomas Gatbunton, 20, and another victim in the shooting were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma shortly after 2:30 a.m. Gatbunton died at the hospital shortly after 4:30 a.m., the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office reported.

Gatbunton's former coach at SMU, Julie Sullivan, said he ran track last year and dropped out of school to attend Pierce College in Tacoma this semester.

Sullivan said there will be a moment of silence for Gatbunton before the men's and women's races Saturday at SMU's cross-country invitational.

"He loved being part of the team," Sullivan said Thursday. "He was a funny guy. Everyone liked him. People are having a hard time right now."

The school's Campus Ministry informed the student body of Gatbunton's death via e-mail, though many students already had heard the news through text messages, e-mails and phone calls, said Stephen McGlone, vice president of the office of institutional advancement.

Campus Ministry opened the school's Reflection Room, a quiet space in the school's counseling center, for students or others needing a quiet place to grieve Wednesday night, McGlone said.

Counselors also were provided to the school's cross country team and coach.

McGlone said that as of Thursday, Gatbunton's family has not informed the school of any services or memorials.

On Gatbunton's Facebook online page, several friends left messages.

"We all loved you, and the world will not be the same without you," Kelli Sheppard wrote on the social networking Web site.

"I love you Josh, and I will miss your smiling face," Jennifer Fullmer wrote. "God be with you til we meet again."

As for the shooting, investigators believe two people went into the apartment and shot Gatbunton, who didn't live in the unit but was staying there, Fulghum said. There was no forced entry, he added. The gunshots woke the second man, who rents the apartment. The shooters forced their way into his room and shot him, Fulghum said.

The surviving victim called 9-1-1 to report the crime in the 9300 block of South Steele Street. His condition was unknown, though Fulghum described his injuries as serious but not life-threatening. His name has not been released. Investigators were able to interview the 20-year-old man Thursday.

Gatbunton graduated in 2006 from Mount Tahoma High School, where he participated in cross country and track and field.

Leanna Albrecht, spokeswoman for the Tacoma School District, said Gatbunton was well-liked.

"He's a phenomenal athlete, great student, great kid," she said.

Friends of Gatbunton's family set up a donation account for him Thursday. Donations can be made to the Kimberly D Knoll-Ayala For Benefit of Gatbunton Family at any Washington Mutual bank branch.

Fulghum said anyone with information on the crime should call Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

Stacey Mulick of The News Tribune in Tacoma and Jeremy Pawloski of The Olympian contributed to this report.