16-year-old boy dies a week after fist fight in Marysville

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 29, 2017

MARYSVILLE — A 16-year-old boy died Monday, about a week after he was in a fist fight with another teen in Marysville.

He and another boy had agreed to meet Aug. 19 in what locals call Spook Woods, along 52nd Drive NE, just south of Pinewood Elementary School. They had arranged the fight as a way to “settle differences,” said Marysville police Cmdr. Mark Thomas. About a dozen kids gathered in the forested area to watch.

Someone called the fire department to report a person down around 3:50 p.m. that day. When police officers arrived, the boy already was in an ambulance on his way to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. He later died from what police believe to be injuries suffered in the fight.

The fight was not spurred by a gang- or school-related issue, police said. It was a personal dispute of some kind.

No arrests have been made.

The 16-year-old was a student in the Marysville School District.

“We are saddened by the news of one of our students passing this summer. District and school staff are working with law enforcement as they investigate this senseless tragedy,” school district leaders said in a written statement.

A team of staff and administrators who have been trained by school psychologists are available to talk with students.

“These are the most tragic of circumstances,” Thomas said. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victim and the victim’s family.”

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.