BOULDER CREEK—The 18-year-old who was killed Saturday at a party at a Boulder Creek residence—Rowan Parham—was described as a man who loved his friends and family, a sentiment that was returned by the people who knew him.
“Anyone that knew Rowan, knew that he was an extraordinarily loyal friend with a quick wit, an infectious laugh and a smile that always lit up the room,” said Philip Wartena in a GoFundMe request for the family.
Parham previously attended Soquel High School, although at the time of his death he attended Oasis High School, a program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education with a campus at Cabrillo College.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 1000 block of Brimblecom Road at about 10pm for multiple reports of a shooting.
Witnesses said several players from the San Lorenzo Valley High School girls’ soccer team and cheerleading squad were at the party when several people arrived who were not invited, one of them being the 16-year-old suspect.
At one point, witnesses said that Parham put his hand on the suspect’s shoulder, when the suspect turned around and shot him.
The suspect then rode away on a dirt bike after the shooting. He is not being named because he is a juvenile.
Two attendees performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but Parham was pronounced dead at the scene.
Schiermeyer said that the school district contacted its mental health counselors at SLV High School and Coast Redwood High School, and at the County Office of Education for additional counseling support.
Parham’s family, is asking for donations to help cover the costs of funeral expenses and a celebration of life.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 471.1121.
Parham’s family has set up a GoFundMe page: gofund.me/0b1f3b0e
A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote about Parham to Schiermeyer.
