FOLLOWUP: Memorial, community messages of support after student’s death

(WSB photo)

Four days after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam died of a gunshot wound at Southwest Pool/Teen Life Center, no further information has emerged about the circumstances. But messages of community support abound outside the center, and the PTSA at <strong>Chief Sealth International High School – where he was a student – has a message too:

(Photo courtesy CSIHS PTSA)

As you may have heard, our community suffered an unimaginable loss when a Chief Sealth student, who was also a former Denny student, tragically lost his life near campus. The school teachers and staff, students, and entire extended Chief Sealth and Denny community are still reeling from this event, and have deeply appreciated the support from West Seattle and beyond.

Some kind folks hung signs on the football field fence across from the school to share their love and encouragement, and it has made a real impact in helping us to feel both empathy for our grief and love for our student during this truly difficult time. Students, friends, and family have also started a memorial in front of the community center.

If additional members of the community are moved to do so, we’d like to invite you to hang signs, notes, or other remembrances on the fence across from the school. Every word and gesture helps our students, faculty, staff, and parents feel supported, and the fence is something we see every day.

On Friday, Chief Sealth Principal Morales sent an update to all Chief Sealth families emphasizing help being made available within the school and throughout the community. You can learn more here.

Thank you again to everyone who has reached out. Our hearts go out to our student’s family and friends as we all work together to grieve and heal. He was so loved, and will be forever missed.

– Chief Sealth International High School PTSA

Donna January 27, 2024 (6:56 pm)

Southwest Pool!! How are you going to keep guns from entering the community center?

KL January 28, 2024 (12:07 am)

Donna, I was once sitting on the sidelines at the SW pool during my kids’ swimming lessons. The man sitting in front of me on the bleachers had a handgun tucked into the waistband of his jeans. It really unnerved me, so I went out and asked the pool staff if they could ask him to leave or at least take the gun out to his car. The pool manager told me that there was nothing they could do about it -that as long as he had it mostly covered up (it was sort of under his shirt, though every time he leaned forward it was completely visible) he was allowed to have it. They suggested I just ask him not to lean forward. I seriously couldn’t believe this was OK, but they said there was no city-wide policy that would allow them to say “no guns at the pool.”

Rob January 27, 2024 (7:02 pm)

Is there anything the community can do for the first responders, like the commenter Mariana? Were these first responders Pool staff?

m January 27, 2024 (10:11 pm)

Yes, they were.

😢😢😢 January 28, 2024 (12:02 am)

My heart just aches as I sit here reading these updates. I could only imagine the pain grief confusion anger sadness loss all the emotions not just that his family friends and loved ones are overcome with during this time of incredible loss but also Mobarak himself in those final moments of such a young life cut so short. Along with the friends who he was surrounded by that day and the gut wrenching feeling of regret or guilt being so young now their lives will be forever changed forever stained with thoughts of if I would have done this different or we hadn’t of chose to do that. I really just hope that they have the positive support that’s going to be imperil getting through this scary time of uncertainty. I myself many many years ago with through something very similar in nature and just wanted to say you will get through this. It will require remaining focused and making some positive changes in one’s path but there is still life after this. And being yet so young leaving almost a whole life ahead of you. With so many possibilities and beautiful endeavors being known to spur from such tragedy. Now is the time to let Mobaraks life not be one that ends in vain but instead allow his spirit to flourish through each one of his friends there that day. By showing thanks to Ala and allowing his strength to guide you through . For it is through that of you all now through your love, through your happiness, through your laughs, your smiles, and your moments of trying times and tears. Through your positive growth and through many years of life to live and cheers to give. It is through your eyes of sight Mobaraks spirit lives. It is through you all now where Mobaraks spirit can be found abound!