The Woodland Hills High School student found shot to death in Swissvale Park was identified Friday by school officials as Micah Graham.
Graham’s body was discovered in Les Getz Memorial Park Thursday morning, and homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
On Friday, Woodland Hills High School Principal Phillip Woods addressed the community via a Facebook livestream.
He offered a moment of silence for Graham, a 16-yer-old junior who was on the school’s basketball team.
“He was loved. He was respected. He was a great part of our school and our culture — a young man just trying to find his way and just enjoy life,” Woods said.
School personnel will be available for grieving students around the clock, he said. Woods urged students to seek support, acknowledging that it may be particularly difficult to find help in a time of social distancing and isolation. High school students are still participating in online learning without any in-person classes.
“I know we got a lot of emotions, a lot of feelings and a lot of questions,” Woods said in the video. “I want to make it known that please do not grieve alone. Reach out to a friend. Reach out to an alumni. Reach out to a close relative.”
Woods said that there are virtual supports in place to help students. Social workers and the school’s crisis support team spoke with the basketball team yesterday, he said.
He encouraged students to reach out to him via email if they had questions or needed help.
Anyone with information regarding Graham’s death is asked to contact the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477).
