The father of the Marysville school shooter has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. But, a defense attorney for Raymond Fryberg plans to appeal the sentence for illegal possession of guns. Fryberg’s son, Jaylen, killed four students and himself at Marysville-Pilchuck High in 2014. One student survived the shooting.A domestic violence protection order from the Tulalip Tribe should have kept Raymond Fryberg, who is a member of the tribe, from owning any guns, but he was found to have six, including the one used in the mass shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Fryberg's lawyer, John Henry Browne, says probation would have been a better option.
"I don't think Mr. Fryberg needs a day in jail. You can't punish him anymore than he's already been punished," Browne said.
In U.S. District Court, Raymond Fryberg publicly apologized for the first time for the actions of his son.
"Every day, I wake up with a broken heart, not just for my son, but for the others as well," Fryberg said.
He said the kids his son killed were a big part of his life as well.
But, U.S. District Judge James Robart said Raymond Fryberg continued to show a disregard for locking up his guns, even after the shooting. The F.B.I says it found numerous unsecured guns easily accessible to young children in the home when they searched Fryberg's residence 5 months after the high school shooting.
At the sentencing, Judge Robart noted that the tragedy perpetrated by Jaylen Fryberg, whose victims were friends and relatives, has created a division within the Tulalip Tribe. Robart pointed out that, even in court, Raymond Fryberg's supporters and detractors sit on opposite sides of the room.
"I don't know how to promote healing, but I hope there is some way to open the lines of communication" Robart said.
Defense attorney John Henry Browne was asked about the judge's comments.
"Hate doesn't heal," Browne said.
