Garfield High School students return to class after deadly shooting

Students walked past a memorial of signs and flowers as they made their way back into Garfield High School on Tuesday morning, the first time since a student was killed in a shooting in the parking lot last Thursday.

Some parents have said they want more security in the Central District as their students prepare to graduate.

Over an hour before classes started on Tuesday morning, a silent circle of people prayed outside Garfield High School’s main entrance. Their heads were bowed as wind gusts shook the bouquets of flowers laid on the school’s steps. The prayers could be heard in the parking lot where a 17-year-old student was shot and killed on Thursday.

RELATED: 17-year-old student dies after being shot multiple times at Seattle’s Garfield High School

“I just feel heartbroken and overwhelmed right now,” said Leslie Williams Gibson, whose son, KeyShawn, is a senior at Garfield.

Williams Gibson said she talked with KeyShawn a little that morning, mainly letting him know she was there for him if he needed anything.

“It's not something he can really talk about,” she said. “He's really that guy who tries to handle things on his own and internalize it. But I think his studying and just doing something to keep his mind off of it is what he's doing right now.”

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KeyShawn will turn 18 on Wednesday and graduate next Monday, so he's focused on his final exams and finishing school. But Williams Gibson said, “This is supposed to be his senior year, and this wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to end like this for him or any of the students here.”

Multiple Seattle Police officers hung around the school on Tuesday, as well as private security guards and members from community groups like the YMCA.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who attended Garfield as a high school student, spoke briefly at the event.

Just before 9 a.m., when classes were set to resume, the crowd formed a tunnel leading to the school doors for students to walk through. They applauded as teenagers walked by with their backpacks, ready to get back to classes. For security purposes, all entrances to the school were closed, and every person who entered was forced to enter through the main entrance.

RELATED: 'It's not just a Garfield problem.' Students, families push for community safety measures following school shooting

Williams Gibson said she appreciated the community turnout, but she’d like to see a more permanent security presence — but just after shootings occur.

“I want to see more from the mayor to secure our children not just at this school, but all schools,” she said. “We should not have to wake up every morning thinking, ‘Will our child make it home today?’”