Two students wounded near school

GRAHAM, Wash. - Two Graham-Kapowsin High School students were shot just off campus Tuesday afternoon, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

The shooting happened about 2:30 p.m. near the school, 22100 108th Ave. E., Graham, shortly after a fight broke out.

"We are confident there are no shooters at the school or on the school grounds," sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said about 3:45 p.m.

One of the victims was found in the parking lot by the football field, Troyer said, and one was found in the school's locker room. Both were taken to Tacoma General Hospital.

The two victims, both males, ran back to the campus after being shot, Troyer said.

Deputies are seeking a green sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Impala, with multiple black males inside that may have fled the school after the shooting, Troyer said. The incident may be gang-related, and the shooters are not believed to be from the Graham area.

"Everything is starting to point that way," Troyer said.

Rumors were circulating on social media that Graham-Kapowsin football players may have been involved in the shooting, but head coach Eric Kurle said neither wounded person was on his team.

Four schools were on lockdown as deputies investigated the shooting: Graham-Kapowsin High, Frontier Middle School, Nelson Elementary School and Graham Elementary School, according to Bethel School District spokesman Douglas Boyles.

Deputies established a perimeter around Graham-Kapowsin High.

Graham Elementary students were released to their buses about 3:10 p.m. After-school activities at Graham-Kapowsin High and Frontier Middle School were canceled.

Students were beginning to be released from school about 4:30 p.m., starting with Frontier Middle School, according to the Bethel School District.