A mother left her car on U.S. Highway 27 in Rockford to run to Freeman High School to find her children Wednesday after a fatal shooting was reported there. Someone then broke into her car, stole her purse and has racked up $36,000 in fraudulent purchases.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help to find the culprits who broke into the car sometime between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Deputy Mark Gregory said.

“Property crimes themselves are typically hard for victims to deal with, especially when identity theft and fraud are involved, but the fact these criminals took advantage of such a tragic situation is particularly heinous,” Gregory wrote.

The car burglary occurred as authorities and parents raced to Freeman High School following the shooting that killed 15-year-old Sam Strahan and injured three other girls. Caleb Sharpe, 15, remains in custody on the charge of first-degree murder in connection to the shooting.

With regard to the fraudulent purchases made on the mother’s accounts, Detective Dean Meyer is seeking help from witnesses to identify the suspects. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to call Meyer at (509) 477-3159.