A fundraiser has been started to help with funeral expenses for a family’s 15-year-old boy who tragically died from a gunshot in Burien on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 11, 2024.

According to various posts on Facebook from family members and friends, the victim of the shooting was Aiden Elledge, who was a 9th grade student at Highline High School.

This devastating passing was the result of a tragic accident in the 16200 block of 11th Ave SW in Burien’s Gregory Heights neighborhood.

“It comes with extreme pain to let all of mine and Aiden Elledge friends know that he passed away yesterday afternoon at home,” his mother Kathy Field said on Facebook. “I will not go into details on FB. But this was the easiest way to let everyone know of his passing. I do know that he had a place in his heart for each and everyone.”

According to a message sent out to families by Highline Public Schools, Elledge is the fourth Highline High School student to die this school year.

“Dear Highline High School Families,

“I am saddened to share that an HHS ninth grade student passed away last weekend. We do not have further confirmed information that we can share at this time; however, we know students have heard about this death and are talking about it.

“We are encouraging our students not to share unconfirmed information or speculate on what happened out of respect for all involved. We will share more information when we are able.

“I want to acknowledge that this is the fourth HHS student we have lost this school year. Our students, families, and staff are all affected when we lose a member of our school community. While these deaths are not connected, each loss compounds our grief…. “

Update Feb. 13, 2024

From fundraiser organizer Frank Leonzal:

“On behalf of Kathy I wanted to make sure and THANK EVERYONE who’s come to assist in our efforts! Words are hard to find when someone close is lost and extremely so when it is a parents child.

“It is still like a dream for me as we all had dinner on Friday night. I keep expecting to see him any time.

“Aiden was a talented 15 year old, a very fun exciting life style and looking ahead to the future of going to Skills for Automotive and body works leading to his own shop of ‘creation’. He will be greatly missed by the many family and his extended family created here with Paintball, skateboarding and his art.

“Thank you all for the generous support shown to celebrate him and his mother.”