‘Another day in Kent’: Residents shaken after woman shot in head near preschool

KENT, Wash. — Kent Police are investigating a shooting that happened early Thursday morning right across from a preschool.

Investigators say a 48-year-old Maple Valley woman was shot in the head, and transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries where she died several days later.

Employees who work at Guidepost Montessori on the corner of Southeast 240th Street and 112th Avenue Southeast were not able to get into the building Thursday morning.

Police had the parking lot by the main entrance taped off. There were over 60 evidence markers, laid out. Several were on school property.

“Another day in Kent.”

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Kent shooting scene 7-27-23 One person was shot in Kent where dozens of evidence markers littered the street. (KIRO 7 News)

Investigators say the person who was shot ended up two miles away on Southeast 230th Place and 114th Way.

We talked with an employee at the preschool who wanted to remain anonymous. She says last month, there was a shooting nearby where an 8-year-old was injured.

“Our school was on lockdown, there were some kids that were outside, probably when it was happening.”

Her message to those opening fire is clear.

“I do advise them to think that there are a lot of little kids around this.”

As someone who lives nearby, she says she’s considering moving.

“Makes me feel like I need to relocate, I need to start looking for a place to stay because I do have nieces and nephews that stay with me so I wanna feel safe in my own area.”

Police described the suspects as four males between the ages of 17 and 25. Three were wearing dark clothing while another was in gray sweatpants.

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