19-year-old killed in Seattle shooting was former Renton student

The shooting in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 20, has received attention nationwide for occurring in a protester-occupied space in Seattle known as CHOP or CHAZ.

A 19-year-old killed in a shooting early Saturday morning at the corner of the protest zone on Capitol Hill in Seattle was identified by medical examiners Monday as Horace Lorenzo Anderson, a Renton High School graduate.

Anderson, who went by Lorenzo, died of multiple gunshot wounds.

In an interview with Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, Renton High School Dean of Students and basketball coach Rashaad Powell talked about losing young people to violence as an educator, and he talked about Anderson’s positive spirit. Powell shared that he only knew love from Anderson, who even visited after graduating from Renton High School.

Over the weekend, Renton High School Security Resource Officer Thaddeus Kerhkoff also shared his sadness and outrage over the death of 19-year-old Anderson.

On Facebook, he posted about the death and losing another student that he knew well over senseless violence. Earlier this year, a 16-year-old Renton student Kerhkoff had known was killed in a drive-by shooting while in the backseat of a car.

Kerkhoff shared that as a student, Anderson’s smile was contagious and they always chatted in the halls.

“Didn’t think it would ever be you. I’m not mad at you. I’m angry at the whole situation. I’m heartbroken knowing that I’ll never see you again,” Kerkhoff said.

Seattle Police Department continues to investigate the shooting that also left a 33-year-old in critical condition.

Anderson was shot at 10th Avenue and Pine Street in Seattle, the corner of the six-block area of space where protesters are demanding the city defund the Seattle Police Department. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center in a private vehicle where he was pronounced dead. The Seattle Times reports that organizers are looking for ways to prevent violence in the occupied area, and despite the shootings this weekend, the protests have remained largely peaceful. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan also announced June 22 that police would be returning to the precinct within the occupied space in the near future.