Downtown Businesses Rally In Seattle Following Deadly Shooting

SEATTLE, WA — Business groups rallied outside Westlake Center Friday afternoon, less than 48 hours after a shootout killed one woman and injured seven other people one block away.

Police recovered at least 20 shell casings and believe three guns were fired after an argument outside the McDonald's at 3rd Avenue and Pine Street. One suspect was arrested at the hospital Wednesday night. Two other men remain at-large. Investigators said all three suspects had extensive criminal records and gang connections.

Following Wednesday's shooting, the Downtown Seattle Association issued a statement calling on city leaders to "take back Third Avenue" and devote more resources to improve safety downtown.

"Criminal activity around Third and Pine has been persistent for far too long and too often has led to violence and innocent lives lost," the statement said.

Jon Scholes, the association's President and CEO, echoed the sentiment in remarks Friday.

"We've had enough; this must change," Scholes said. "As a community we're committed to coming together in partnership with public officials to ensure that everyone who lives, works and visits the heart of our city feels safe."

Despite 2019 ending with a measurable drop in criminal reports on the city-wide level, a police department "density map" released in December showed a higher concentration of activity around the downtown core.

The Seattle Times reports dozens of police officers and security guards could be seen patrolling downtown streets Thursday night, but foot traffic was thin, and some business owners told the newspaper they remained on edge.

Amazon, one of the city's largest employers, announced it would boost security after two of its employees were injured in Wednesday's shooting. A company spokesperson said they were struck by gunfire while standing outside the old Macy's building, which now houses the company's "BlueShift" office space. In response, Amazon said it would add more security officers inside and outside the property and begin offering escorts to and from public transportation.

CITY RESPONSE

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said the department has accelerated plans to add more gang unit detectives and rotate additional officers into the downtown area. Emphasis patrols will continue along the Pike/Pine corridor, and two mobile precincts have been established in the area. The chief pushed back on the notion that Wednesday's events were the result of "staffing issues," and noted that officers already working nearby had arrived on the scene within seconds.

Mayor Jenny Durkan said her office would join other city leaders in meeting with businesses in the area and work "block by block" to develop solutions.

Durkan said another major part of the solution is stopping the flow of illegal firearms into Seattle, which will likely require regional collaboration.

"We know that the guns in this incident were not supposed to be in the hands of the people who had them," Durkan said. "We must join our resources together to meet this challenge."

VICTIMS

A Harborview Medical Center spokesperson said three shooting victims were still receiving care at the hospital Friday, including a 9-year-old boy who underwent surgery Wednesday night. He has now been upgraded to satisfactory condition. The boy's family spoke to KIRO 7 Thursday and described him as "unflappable," but still recovering from a shattered femur.

The 32-year-old man injured in the shooting is listed in satisfactory condition, and a 55-year-old woman remains in critical condition at the hospital's intensive care unit.

The Seattle Times reports the 50-year-old woman who died in the shooting was identified as Tanya Jackson, a resident of a group housing facility in Belltown.