Members of the Tulalip Tribe in Washington State have released a statement condemning the actions of the Native American student who killed three people, including himself, and wounded three others during a school shooting last week.

Officials said that the shooter, 14-year-old Jaylen Fryberg, was a popular student at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School, which is about 40 miles north of Seattle. Not only was Fryberg a well-liked athlete who played on the school football team, but he was also named the freshman class Homecoming prince just one week prior to the tragedy. Fryberg also appeared to be an avid outdoorsman who took pride in his Native American heritage.

However, on Oct. 24 he invited five of his friends to sit with him in the school cafeteria.

As they were gathered around a lunch table, he walked up behind them and opened fire in the crowded lunchroom, killing Zoe Galasso, 14, at the scene and Gia Soriano, who died in the hospital Sunday night. Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, 14, and his cousin Andrew Fryberg, 15, were both reported to be in critical condition after suffering from gunshot wounds. His other cousin, Nate Hatch, 14, was in satisfactory condition, reports CNN.

Although Fryberg was from a prominent Tulalip family, members of the tribe issued a statement condemning his actions.

"Even though we may never know why, there can be no justification for taking the lives of others," officials stated in a press release on Thursday. "These were the acts of an individual, not a family, not a tribe. ... While some have been directed at Native children, we are concerned for the safety of all of the children. Many of our kids are fearful to return to school, and some parents are reluctant to send them."

"It is our custom to come together in times of grief. The tribe holds up our people who are struggling through times of loss," officials said. "We are supporting the family of Jaylen Fryberg in their time of loss, but that does not mean we condone his actions."

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