Investigation: No Evidence Hamza Warsame Beaten Before Fall

Slowly, 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.

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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.”

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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. {snip}

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

[Editor’s Note: At the time of Warsme’s death, the community college he attended sponsored a Muslim prayer service in his memory and asked that the “entire campus community stand in solidarity.” We doubt the college would ever sponsor Christian service.]

Message to students: Remembering Hamza Warsame

Dear Seattle Central Students:

On Monday, I sent a message informing you of the tragic death of student Hamza Warsame. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is currently ongoing, and more information should be released soon. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to Hamza’s family. This is an incredibly sad and tragic loss for his family, friends and our college community.

To honor Hamza’s memory, members of the Somali Student Association, in conjunction with the Black Student Union, the Muslim Student Association and other campus clubs, will hold a Public Prayer/Support Circle today at noon in the Atrium. I am asking that the entire campus community stand in solidarity to support our students during this difficult grieving process.

Additionally, we have designated BE 1110 as a place where students, faculty and staff can congregate and reflect on this tragedy. Information about counseling services offered on campus will also be available.

This incident has brought to light very real concerns among our community of black and Muslim students who are worried about their safety. Amid reports of an increasing number of racist and discriminatory acts locally and nationally, the fear and sorrow our students feel is real.

Seattle Central celebrates and values diversity, and I am deeply concerned that students of certain faiths or backgrounds may not feel safe coming to campus. Our Campus Safety office is available to help you 24/7; contact them at 206.934.5442 at any time or call 911.

If you do not feel comfortable contacting this office or the police, please connect with your instructors, a counselor or any employee you trust. {snip}

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Sincerely, I extend my sincere appreciation to our students, faculty and staff, who are working together to create a campus community that is welcoming, respectful and supportive.

Sheila Edwards Lange, Ph.D.

Interim President