SPOKANE, Wash. — A man convicted of opening fire and killing a student in a hallway at Freeman High School nearly seven years ago is awaiting a new sentencing date following a hearing on Thursday.
Caleb Sharpe was just 15 years old when he entered Freeman High School with a gun, shot and killed one student and seriously injured three other students in 2017. In 2022, Sharpe, who was 18 at the time, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison with additional lifetime supervision. In an opinion filed in April, the Washington State Court of Appeals concluded Sharpe was sentenced to too long of a prison term and needs to be resentenced.
Chief Criminal Deputy for the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office Preston McCollam said Sharpe was held without bond following his hearing Thursday. He said both the defense and the prosecution will be asking the court for the statutory sentence of 25 years to life. McCollam said they anticipate a new court date to be scheduled in the coming days.
According to the opinion, Sharpe raised several challenges to his sentence. He cited a Washington state law that requires an exact sentence of 25 years to life for anyone who committed the crime when they were 16 or younger, as well as another law that states firearm enhancements don't apply to people who commit first-degree murder when they are under the age of 16. Sharpe also claimed his 40-year sentence is unconstitutional because it is essentially a life sentence.
"We accept the State’s concession and hold that former RCW 10.95.030(3)(a)(i) requires a trial court to impose the exact sentence of 25 years to life on a defendant who was under the age of 16 when they committed the crime of aggravated first-degree murder," the opinion reads.
Sharpe also claimed his confession to police shortly after his arrest was involuntary, according to the opinion. However, the court stated Sharpe waived his right to challenge his confession after he pleaded guilty to the crimes in 2022.
"We grant the parties’ joint request to reverse Sharpe’s sentence and remand for de novo resentencing," the opinion reads.
Randy Russell, the superintendent of the Freeman School District, issued a statement following the court's decision, stating in part:
"The Freeman School District is disappointed in today’s announcement that the WA State Court of Appeals has ordered the re-sentencing of Caleb Sharpe. It’s heartbreaking that the Freeman students, staff, families, and community will be exposed to yet another conversation about the situation. We will continue providing support and services to Freeman students, staff, and families as we navigate our continuing road of recovery."
Read the full opinion here.