Tag Archives: #justice4hamza

Investigation: No evidence Hamza Warsame beaten before fall

Posted on by
Hamza Warsame's sister Ikram at a rally calling for justice in the investigation of the 16-year-old's death (Image: CHS)

Hamza Warsame’s sister Ikram at a rally calling for justice in the investigation of the 16-year-old’s death (Image: CHS)

Hamza Warsame_4981Slowly, the results of the investigation into the death of Hamza Warsame are beginning to come to light.

Seattle Police officials say there is no sign the 16-year-old Seattle Central student was beaten before falling 60 feet from a building near Summit and Thomas on the afternoon of Saturday, December 5th. At the time, CHS was one of the only media outlets to report the death. But the story quickly grew into an international controversy and brought to light local tensions and concerns about hate and Islamophobia against local Muslim communities.

“This was murder, this was not a suicide,” Hamza’s sister Ikram Warsame told CHS. “He was content with his life, he had high hopes for the future.”

But police say that investigations have found no evidence of injuries from an altercation prior to the fall and a department spokesperson told a Seattle news writer there is “no indication of foul play.”

The King County Medical Examiner has told CHS that their death investigation is complete but the results have been on hold pending release by SPD due to the sensitive nature of the investigation and the wait for final toxicology reports to detect elements like alcohol or drug use.

Warsame was a Rainier Beach High School student starting his first quarter at Seattle Central under the college’s Running Start program, a SCC spokesperson told CHS. Running Start allows high school juniors and seniors to take college–level classes for high school and college credit. Ikram told CHS her and Hamza’s parents immigrated from Somalia to Seattle in 1994, where Hamza and Ikram were born and raised. After obtaining his associates degree, Ikram said Hamza wanted to attend MIT in Boston to study computer science. “He was interested in technology, he was a game fanatic,” she said.

To support the family, more than 100 people have donated to the #justiceforhamza giving campaign:

Thank you so much for all the prayers and well wishes. Our family is fighting to make sure that justice is served and we are confident that, with your help and support, we can make that happen. As of now we are still waiting for an update from the Seattle Police Department. We will let the public know of any information as soon as we are able to. May God bless you all. Thank you for sticking with us.

-Warsame Family

Hamza Warsame_4925

SPD investigation continues into death of Seattle Central student — UPDATE

Posted on by

East Precinct commander Capt. Paul McDonagh speaks with family and supporters at Wednesday's march

East Precinct commander Capt. Paul McDonagh speaks with family and supporters at Wednesday’s march

IMG_1607

Pictures from Wednesday’s #justice4hamza march (Images: Alex Garland for CHS)

Hamza Warsame’s photograph has been shared widely on social media.

Hamza Warsame’s photograph has been shared widely on social media.

The police investigation into the death of a 16-year-old Seattle Central College student continues as concerns about the cause of the incident have mounted on social media.

Hamza Warsame died on Saturday following a 60-foot fall from a building near Summit and Thomas, according to Seattle Fire. Seattle Central identified Warsame Monday in a message to students. In a statement released Tuesday, Seattle Police said its investigation was ongoing and did not specify if detectives suspected foul play.

The department is aware of community concerns about the case and Assistant Chief Robert Merner is personally supervising the matter. As with all death investigations, we ask the community to be patient and avoid jumping to conclusions while detectives conduct their work.

A representative from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office told CHS its investigation into the death was on hold while police continue to work on the case. The medical examiner’s report may also be delayed as investigators gather details from Harborview Medical Center, the representative said. UPDATE 12/9/2015 3:10 PM: The medical examiner said Wednesday afternoon that the announcement of the cause of death in the Warsame case remains “pending investigation.”

Four days after her brother’s death, Ikram Warsame told CHS she has become increasingly frustrated with the lack of information on the investigation. “I want the police to bring justice to my brother, to find out what happened to him,” she said on Wednesday while on her way to a vigil for Hamza at Seattle Central.

The 18-year-old UW Bothel student said she believes its unlikely her brother’s death was accidental and she’s certain it was a not a suicide. “This was murder, this was not a suicide,” she said. “He was content with his life, he had high hopes for the future.”

Ikram said her and Hamza’s parents immigrated from Somalia to Seattle in 1994, where Hamza and Ikram were born and raised. After obtaining his associates degree, Ikram said Hamza wanted to attend MIT in Boston to study computer science. “He was interested in technology, he was a game fanatic,” she said.

Continue reading →

Police investigating after teen dies in fall from building at Summit/Thomas — UPDATE

Posted on by

UPDATE 12/8/2015 12:34 PM: SPD investigation continues into death of Seattle Central student

Police were investigating after a teenager suffered life threatening injuries in a 60-foot fall from a building near Summit and Thomas.

Seattle Fire was called to the 300 block of Summit Ave E after a 911 caller reported the incident Saturday afternoon just before 4 PM.

The male victim suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to Harborview according to Seattle Fire. UPDATE: The teen in the incident died of his injuries. Police say the incident is not being investigated as a homicide. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

Police were investigating what led to the fall.

UPDATE 12/7/2015 11:15 PM: The teenager who died Saturday has been identified by Seattle Central as a student at the school. The college sent the following message to students about the death of Hamza Warsame.

Screen Shot 2015-12-07 at 11.06.06 PM

CHS has received many messages about Warsame’s death and concerns about the investigation. As of Monday morning, a Seattle Police spokesperson said the death was not being investigated as a homicide. We will continue to follow the story and will post more information as it becomes available. Until then, please do not post speculation about the cause of the incident in CHS comments — it will be removed. You can contact us at [email protected] with questions or concerns.