Memorial service set for 5 slain Graham children

Published 6:44 am Wednesday, April 8, 2009

SEATTLE — A memorial service has been scheduled for five children who authorities say were shot and killed by their father at their home in Graham.

The children’s great-aunt Candy Johnson says the service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Orting High School in the Pierce County community of Orting. She says the service is open to the public.

Maxine, Jayme, Samantha, Heather and James Harrison have been remembered as bright, polite, loving children. They ranged in age from 7 to 16, and all attended schools in the Orting School District.

Authorities believe their 34-year-old father, James Harrison, shot each child multiple times early Saturday after learning that his wife was planning to leave him. He later killed himself miles away in Auburn.

The “Five Harrison Children Memorial Fund” has been set up at U.S. Bank to help pay for funeral expenses.