A 4 Apple Learning Center in the Central District Pleads for Help After Shooting

Reporting by Cesar Canizales

“I don't want to feel like this. You know, I'm tired. I'm tired.”

That’s how Appollonia Washington feels after Monday’s shooting that shattered some of the windows at her learning center.

She said she has seen dealing with violence, open drug use and other illegal behavior near and around the A 4 Apple Learning Center almost since the school opened in late 2021. She is co-owner of the school.

She said the city has done almost nothing to help, even after pleas from her and other business owners in the Central District area. 

“No, I haven't gotten much response. There's been shooting at Cathy's Corner right out there. No response. It's the OD’ing,” she said. “People are OD’ing nonstop back-to-back-back-to-back. It may die down for three days, but it's still no response.”

The latest incident—a shooting that sent bullet fragments flying through her windows during the school day on Monday.

None of the children inside were injured. Appollonia, who goes by Apple, said she was freaked out. Fortunately, she and her staff had trained the students for a situation just like that one—instructions to crawl to the bathroom. 

“Boom, boom, boom. Army crawl, friends. All 24 of my students knew that army crawl to the bathroom. Something I never thought we would actually experience -- shooting right here,” she said.

Washington said people regularly do drugs at a bus stop across the street from her school. Before the day starts, she picks up used up used needles. She has reported the incidents and has sought help. 

“The drugs; it's been people OD'ing at least once a week. The drug transactions. I've been seeing older people get beat up by those who may be on drugs,” she said.

Washington said she tried to contact city councilmember Kshama Sawant but received no response. 

She said the local police precinct told her the incidents she described were not serious enough. 

She also tried to talk to representatives at Vulcan, which owns an empty property nearby, but they haven’t helped.

Converge Media spoke with Mayor Bruce Harrell in May about the situation at 23rd and Jackson. Harrell said at the time that the city is short on police officers, but he offered to help through a public safety initiatives liaison. According to Washington, she met with that city official but nothing came of it. 

“City officials, Where's the support? What can we do to make sure that my families are feeling protected and safe? Making sure my staff feel protected and safe to even work here? Making sure me as a business owner feel okay with keeping my learning center here?” she asked.

After Monday’s shooting, the mayor’s office said in an email that the police department will add emphasis patrols in the area.

“We hear their concerns,” wrote Jamie Housen, director of communications in the mayor’s office. “In the long-term, we will continue to work with students, parents, schools, and childcare facilities to address concerns and create safe spaces for kids to learn and grow.” 

Washington says 23rd and Jackson has not been on the city’s radar at all. 

“The other businesses over in the area are trying to figure out what we can do to clean up

23rd and Jackson. It seems like it's been forgotten about. Like they just think this is going to be crime after crime after crime when you have a wonderful childcare right here who serves 60 families,” she said.

She added that the only official who seems to care is King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, who doesn’t even represent the area.

“We had Girmay. He showed up to a few meetings, but this isn't even his area that he usually supports. But he was showing up for the meetings. There was no mayor,” Washington said.

Washington says she has a message for city officials.

“City, please. We need you to help clean up 23RD and Jackson. The shootings, the drive-bys, how are we being protected? What can we do? That’s what I keep asking, what can we do to feel safe?”