At around 4 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 7, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an emergency call at a home in Lynnwood. There, they found the body of then-unidentified 15-year-old Terrace sophomore Zae’Shaun Easton with a gunshot wound. The deputies attempted to save his life but were unable to do so. 

Investigators from the Major Crime Unit of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office say Easton was playing with the gun before he accidentally fired it. Neighbors are saying that this may have happened while he was talking with someone else over a social media video chat. 

Terrace families and faculty were notified of the accident by email from Principal Greg Schellenberg at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. 

“Zae’Shaun was new to Mountlake Terrace this year. He attended Jackson High School as a ninth-grader last year. Zae’Shaun’s friends say that he was into music, sports and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and the many staff who were just getting to know him this year,” Schellenberg said in the email. 

The email also informed families and faculty that counselors would be on hand Monday to provide support for anyone who was impacted. It also gave advice to parents whose student(s) were affected including simple counseling methods and numbers to call for further help.

“If you are concerned for your student or if you need support, I encourage you to contact our guidance counselors at 425-431-5663 for assistance,” Schellenberg said. 

Community resources for grief management can also be reached at the following numbers:

Care Crisis Line: 800-584-3578

Compass Health: 888-693-7200

Swedish Hospital Grief Support: 425-640-4404