Boy, 13, arrested in Seattle shooting, latest in series of slain teens

A 13-year-old boy surrendered himself to Seattle police Thursday, six days after investigators say he shot and killed a 17-year-old boy inside a Hillman City neighborhood apartment.

The 13-year-old arrived with a family member shortly after 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Seattle Police Department's South Precinct, according to a statement by the department. The statement did not identify the boy, who was booked into the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center for investigation of manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Someone called 911 about 11:30 p.m. May 29 to report an accidental shooting in an apartment near Martin Luther King Junior Way South and South Graham Street. Officers responded and found Elijah-King Leven, 17, of Seattle with a gunshot wound to his head, according to police and the King County medical examiner's office.

Leven, a junior at Seattle's Nathan Hale High School, died from his injuries two days later at Harborview Medical Center.

Seattle police have not said what led up to the shooting or confirmed if it was an accident.

King County Superior Court Judge Veronica Galván on Friday ordered the 13-year-old be held in juvenile detention. Police are expected to refer charges to county prosecutors by early next week, said Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County prosecuting attorney's office.

"This is beyond a tragedy. But we cannot negate that it was an avoidable one, and this court has concerns, Galván said Friday, according to McNerthney.

An online fundraiser created to support Leven's mother and two sisters called him a "proud student" who loved music, gaming and art and "always lit up a room."

"He was energetic, loving, kind, inclusive, joyful, accepting, hilarious, imaginative, playful and genuine," according to the fundraiser, which had raised more than $5,000 by Friday.

In a Monday letter to Nathan Hale High School families provided by the district, school Principal Jolene Grimes said Leven's "presence, smile and care for his friends will truly be missed."

"Please hold your loved ones close and seek comfort in one another, Grimes wrote.

Leven was one of at least three teenagers killed in shootings within four days in King County, according to the medical examiner's office.

Federal Way police were investigating the death of Dremonte Fiddler, 16, who was shot multiple times Monday night. Officers responded to reports of gunfire shortly after 9:30 p.m. at an apartment complex near 24th Lane South and South Star Lake Road, where they found Fiddler wounded in the parking lot. He died at the scene, according to Federal Way police.

Kent police were investigating the death of Nyeruon Deng Biel, 16, who was shot in the torso Wednesday in a parking lot and died later that day from her injuries, according to Kent police and the medical examiner's office.

Representatives for Federal Way and Kent police did not immediately respond Friday to inquiries. Police hadn't announced arrests in those cases.

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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 11:36 PM.