Seattle teen fatally shot at party

Everlena Joplin had raised her grandson Allen since he was a newborn and just like many grandmothers, she was proud of the young man he was becoming.

Allen Joplin took out the trash when she asked, he cooked dinner — usually hamburgers and cheese sandwiches — and most of the time he returned home by 10 p.m. But early Friday morning, the 84-year-old Seattle woman received a phone call from Allen's girlfriend saying Allen had been shot.

The 17-year-old was killed shortly before midnight Thursday after two unknown men crashed a party he was attending at an art studio in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood and opened fire. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene, and a 13-year-old girl who was shot in the leg is still recovering.

Police on Friday were still searching for the gunmen.

Allen left their Central Area home around 7 p.m. Thursday bound for the party, Everlena Joplin said. A group of teenage girls from Franklin High School and their parents had rented the space for a "back-to-school party," said Studio One-Sixteen owner Rocky Salskov.

The Seattle School District resumes classes Monday, after winter break.

More than 100 teens, and some parent chaperones, attended the event in the 100 block of Elliott Avenue West, according to police. But shortly before midnight, the two men got into an argument with the people at the front door. One man lifted up his shirt to flash a handgun, and the other drew his handgun and began firing, said police spokesman Mark Jamieson.

Allen was struck by gunfire after apparently getting into an argument with the party crashers, said police Sgt. Deanna Nollette.

Police are looking into whether the shooting was gang-related. "The gang unit and the homicide unit will be working throughout the weekend following leads," Nollette said.

Allen's family said the slain teen wasn't a gang member.

Everlena Joplin said Allen got into a few fistfights at school but never got into any other trouble. She said she didn't know of anyone who wanted to hurt him.

Allen was attending the party with his girlfriend, his grandmother said. The couple had gotten into a fight on the phone before Allen left the house, she said.

Allen was a sophomore at the YMCA-run Seattle Rotary Education Center, according to the Seattle School District. The program offers young people between 16 and 21 years old an opportunity to get their high-school diploma, as well as learn vocational skills.

Allen once went to Cleveland High, where he played football. During a preview of area high-school football teams, The Seattle Times in August characterized Allen as an "impact newcomer," indicating the incoming senior played running back and linebacker.

Annette Brown, Allen's 26-year-old sister, said he was an aspiring rap star who was devoted to her 3-½-year-old son, Malik. She said the two loved to play basketball and Xbox together.

"He was a great kid. He loves sports. He loves to dress well and he loves video games," Brown said. "I just don't know what happened."

Salskov said that one of the studio managers was present when the shooting happened. While neither he nor police knew whether party organizers had hired security for the event, guests were questioned at the door before coming inside.

"They checked people at the door, checking them as they came," Salskov said.

Salskov said the event was only the second time he and his business partner had rented Studio One-Sixteen for a teenage party.

"We rent it out mostly for weddings and receptions, that's what's so bizarre about this," Salskov said. "In eight years this is the second time we have rented it to young adults. But it's through their parents we do it." School-district spokesman David Tucker said the district is waiting to hear from police on whether there will be increased security at any of the city's high schools on Monday.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com

Seattle Times news researcher Miyoko Wolf contributed to this report.