Crime & Safety
1 Dead, 7 Injured In Downtown Seattle Shooting
Seven people were taken to Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds, including a 9-year-old boy with serious injuries.
SEATTLE, WA — At least one person was killed and seven others injured during a shooting that began with an argument outside a McDonald's in downtown Seattle Wednesday night, officials said. Police and fire crews rushed to the scene near Westlake Park, just two hours after a shooting involving law enforcement a few blocks away.
Latest: Seattle City Leaders Promise Action After Downtown Violence
Police officers arrived at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Pine Street and began life-saving efforts on the victims around 5 p.m. Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said 45 firefighters and medics responded to the scene.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Detectives are investigating after six people were wounded by gunfire, one fatally, at 3rd and Pine. The suspect(s) fled the scene. If you have information about this incident, please call our tip line at (206) 233-5000
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) January 23, 2020
In an interview with the Seattle Times, a barista working at a nearby coffee shop described customers ducking for cover as gunshots were heard nearby. He later found two shooting victims outside.
According to Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, early forensic evidence indicated multiple people exchanged gunfire, and it was not believed to be a random incident. Best said there was no remaining danger to the public. Homicide and gang unit detectives are working to gather more information on potential suspects, but no arrests have been made.
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Seattle Fire said one woman, approximately 40 to 50 years old, was dead when medics arrived. Of the seven injured in the shooting, a 9-year-old boy was in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center. A 55-year-old woman was in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
A hospital spokesperson said four other victims, a 21-year-old man, 32-year-old man, 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old man were in satisfactory condtion. A 49-year-old man was treated and released.
SPD shared a link Wednesday night for witnesses to submit photos or videos directly to detectives.
Do you have photo or video evidence of the 3rd and Pine shooting? Share it with our detectives directly by visiting this link: https://t.co/vLdZyw20OR
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) January 23, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement Wednesday night urging those with information to come forward.
My full statement: https://t.co/x21a5j30L1 pic.twitter.com/X5LkGhJfI5
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) January 23, 2020
The Seattle Department of Transportation asked all travelers to avoid the downtown core Wednesday night, as several roads in the area remained closed. The Seattle Police Department said the scene should be clear by the Thursday morning commute.
#Seattle If you can, avoid downtown streets and/or delay your commute if you're in the downtown district. Seeing high travel times due to multiple street closures in the area for investigations.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2020
Wednesday's shootings follow the killing of a 55-year-old man at Westlake Center Tuesday evening. A suspect in that case is still on the run. Best said there was no indication the shootings were related.
2 bulletholes through the window of this @kcmetrobus bus. I’ve confirmed it was hit as part of the shooting at 3rd & Pine. Worth noting, it’s parked at 3rd & Pike. Metro spokesperson said the driver was not injured and no passengers were on board. #komonews pic.twitter.com/vH5fB3LJOS
— Patrick Quinn (@PatrickQuinnTV) January 23, 2020
She had just walked out of work at 3/Union when she heard a rash of gunfire. Valerie then ran back to her secure office building, leading others with her to safety. They were in lockdown for 90 minutes. She took these photos in that time #SeattleShooting #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/tPTDl4iM9v
— Cole Miller (@ColeMillerTV) January 23, 2020
Still a huge police presence at Third and Pine. According to witnesses at least four people were shot. Awaiting confirmation from SPD. pic.twitter.com/4M2d2ik3la
— Sara Jean Green (@SJGTimes) January 23, 2020
@SeattlePD outside Harborview Medical Center. Victims from today’s multiple shooting will be taken here. #Q13FOX will have extended coverage until 7pm tonight following this story. pic.twitter.com/2JC06KD1Wl
— Andy Anderson (@AndyAndersonTV) January 23, 2020
Seeing @seattlepd inside Victrola in Macy’s bldg on 3rd Ave after multiple shots fired. Quite a few evidence markers on ground outside McDonald’s. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/DD6s2rDQH9
— AMY CLANCY (@ClancyKIRO7) January 23, 2020
Corner of 4th and Pine in #seattle. Avoid this area. Traffic is a mess. Shooting investigation underway. #komonews pic.twitter.com/CvTNG9sqKh
— Suzanne Phan (@SuzannePhan) January 23, 2020
This is the third downtown shooting in two days. Now at the scene with Samantha Cook, an Edmonds resident, who said she was refilling her transit card in Westlake Station when she heard a rapid fire of shots on the street. @seattletimes https://t.co/AGGr4OeECl pic.twitter.com/GCO91I2GJu
— Elise Takahama (@elisetakahama) January 23, 2020
Absolute gridlock on 3rd and 4th avenues after shooting in downtown Seattle. #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/WRhRpD7eb1
— Charlie Harger (@KOMOCharlie) January 23, 2020
#Seattle If you can, avoid downtown streets and/or delay your commute if you're in the downtown district. Seeing high travel times due to multiple street closures in the area for investigations.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2020
Crews responding to reports of multiple patients involved in a shooting near 3rd and Pine. Please avoid the area.
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) January 23, 2020
Shooting @ Downtown Seattle pic.twitter.com/tcYcbUM6ep
— Santi Szuchmacher (@shumi7) January 23, 2020
The view from Century Square on 3rd/4th and Pine. Coworkers heard more shots fired downtown and ran back inside. Building rumored to be on lockdown. Wednesday! #seattle @KING5Seattle @KIRO7Seattle @komonews pic.twitter.com/rurfrseCo9
— suzanne asprea (@sasprea) January 23, 2020
Rider Alert: Link light rail – Temporary service interruption https://t.co/TKMzopu53d
— Sound Transit - (@SoundTransit) January 23, 2020
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