Police in Seattle have reported the death of a 17-year-old student who was shot while attempting to break up a fight outside his high school.

Seattle Police Deputy Chief Eric Barden described the event outside Garfield High School on Thursday as an “extraordinary tragedy for the community.”

“Unfortunately, gun violence emerged again today at our high school,” Barden said, noting that the suspect – dressed in a red hoodie, light-colored pants, and white shoes – remains at large after fleeing on foot.

Barden continued, “We believe that an altercation took place between some high school-aged students” and “Our victim, it appears, tried to intervene and break up that fight.”

“Subsequent to that, one of the original combatants approached the victim and an additional altercation broke out and the suspect produced a weapon and fired multiple rounds at our victim,” Barden also stated.

“That suspect fled the scene and remains at large at this time,” he added. “We are working to identify that person who appears to be another high school-aged male.”

Despite lifesaving efforts, the 17-year-old student later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, according to the Seattle Police Department.

He was reported to have been struck multiple times by gunfire.

Following the shooting, the school district implemented a staggered release of students, police said.

The incident occurred while students were still inside Garfield High School on Thursday, June 6.

The department’s homicide unit is currently investigating the shooting.