The Office for Victims of Crime Awards $2.1 Million to Support Victims of the Marysville-Pilchuck School Shooting in Marysville, Washington

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) announced a $2,145,327 Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) grant to organizations providing support for the victims, witnesses and first responders involved in the events surrounding the shootings at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School in October 2014.

OVC is committed to promoting healing and justice for victims of crime,” said Acting OVC Director Marilyn McCoy Roberts.  “We recognize the enormous physical and emotional toll the Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting has had on the surrounding Marysville community including the local Middle School, the affected High School and the Tulalip Tribes. This award will ensure that Marysville, the Tulalip Tribes and the State of Washington can provide critical support to victims and their families as they continue to heal.”

On October 24, 2014, a ninth grade student at Marysville Pilchuck High School, and member of the nearby Tulalip Tribes, shot five students in the school cafeteria before taking his own life.  Ultimately only one of the shooting victims survived.

"Though a year has passed, the pain and deep sorrow surrounding the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School remains," said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes for the Western District of Washington.  "These funds will provide critical services to those whose lives are forever changed, and will further support the Marysville-Pilchuck school community as it works to rebuild its sense of safety."

This award to the Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, will support crisis response and consequence management service costs, both incurred and anticipated, for organizations providing crisis intervention services and trauma-informed care, continuum of care and other assistance essential to victim healing. 

In 1995, following the Oklahoma City bombing, Congress authorized OVC to set aside and administer up to $50 million annually from the Crime Victims Fund for the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve Fund to assist victims in extraordinary circumstances.  Following an act of terrorism or mass violence, jurisdictions can apply for an AEAP grant award for crisis response, criminal justice support, crime victim compensation, and training and technical assistance expenses.  OVC also provided AEAP funds and assistance following the mass violence incidents in Boston, Massachusetts (2013); Newtown, Connecticut (2012); Oak Creek, Wisconsin (2012); Aurora, Colorado (2012); Tucson, Arizona. (2011); Binghamton, New York (2009); at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2007); and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety on behalf of the Red Lake Nation (2005).