WSU Football Player Shot at Party, UW Student Suspect Identified

In a shocking turn of events, Washington State University offensive lineman Sone Falealo was shot early Sunday morning at an off-campus apartment party after the Apple Cup. The college football community’s still reeling, as Falealo recovers from surgery.

Police have identified Jakori Cezon Buchanan, a 20-year-old University of Washington student, as the suspected shooter. Here’s what we know so far about the incident and the search for answers.

Details of the Incident

The shooting happened around 1:47 a.m. Sunday at an apartment complex about a mile from the Washington State University campus. Officers arrived after a 911 call and found Falealo with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Paramedics rushed him to Pullman Regional Hospital. Surgeons removed the bullet, and—thankfully—it missed his organs.

Events Leading Up to the Shooting

According to police and court documents, Falealo and two friends—fellow Cougars offensive linemen Jaylin Caldwell and Xavier Thorpe—were asked to help with security at the party because of earlier noise complaints. Witnesses said Buchanan, a guest at the party, kept getting into arguments throughout the night.

One woman reported that Buchanan confronted her inside and tried to punch her. Falealo, Caldwell, and Thorpe stepped in, but Buchanan just got more aggressive.

The Altercation Outside

Things got worse outside the apartment. Witnesses and surveillance footage showed Falealo confronting Buchanan in the backyard and knocking him down.

As Falealo and Caldwell held him, an unidentified friend of Buchanan jumped in. Suddenly, Buchanan pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired once, hitting Falealo in the abdomen.

Several witnesses identified Buchanan as the shooter. One recognized him after checking his Instagram profile, which matched his driver’s license photo.

Investigation and Arrest Warrant

Pullman Police dove into the investigation, reviewing bystander and surveillance footage that captured the scuffle and Buchanan pulling a gun. Officers later found a 9mm shell casing in the parking lot.

Buchanan fled with another man in a gray 2025 Hyundai Sonata with Minnesota plates registered to a Hertz rental. Detectives tried to call Buchanan. He picked up briefly but hung up after the officer identified himself.

A follow-up text got no response. As of Monday evening, Buchanan hadn’t been arrested. Whitman County Superior Court Judge Roger Sandberg signed a felony arrest warrant for Buchanan on charges of first- and fourth-degree assault.

The warrant authorizes his arrest in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and California. No bail was set before his first court appearance.

Community and Institutional Response

The shooting sent shockwaves through the Washington State University community and the wider college football world. Falealo, a 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman offensive tackle from Alaska, started his college career at Idaho but transferred to Washington State over the summer.

He hasn’t played for the Cougars yet. Pullman Police said Falealo, Caldwell, Thorpe, and the others at the party have no criminal records and cooperated fully with investigators.

Calls for Increased Safety Measures

This incident’s got people talking about college event safety—especially for student-athletes. Should universities beef up security protocols or give more support to students who end up acting as party security? It’s a tough question, and there aren’t any easy answers.

Support for Falealo

As Falealo recovers, the Washington State University community’s rallied around him with support and well-wishes. The university’s asking anyone with information about Buchanan’s whereabouts to contact authorities.

Pullman Police are still investigating and say they’re determined to see justice done.

Conclusion

The shooting of Sone Falealo has really put a spotlight on the risks that can crop up at college parties. It also makes you wonder if campus security is truly up to the task.