SEATTLE, WA – A chilling night unfolded in downtown Seattle as law enforcement officials continue to investigate a deadly shooting incident that took place overnight. The suspect in the case was fatally shot by a bystander, according to police reports, as he attempted to flee the scene.
Authorities responded swiftly to the scene near the Four Seasons Hotel, arriving within two minutes of gunfire erupting. The incident, which occurred shortly after 10 p.m., left one person dead and two others seriously injured. The confrontation reportedly began with an argument among three individuals, escalating to gunfire when one of them opened fire on the others.
A nearby bystander, legally armed, intervened by shooting the suspect, who later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Police have confirmed the bystander is cooperating with the investigation, though the cause of the initial argument remains unclear.
As of now, the identities of those involved are not publicly known, and the two victims remain in critical condition. The Seattle Fire Department confirmed they treated several teenage males at the scene, but further details have yet to be disclosed.
In a separate incident, a fatal stabbing occurred just blocks away from the shooting. First responders were called to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Pike Street around the same time as the shooting, discovering a man bleeding in a nearby alley. The victim died before reaching the hospital. Police indicate the stabbing followed a dispute between two men, with the suspect remaining on the scene to assist law enforcement.
Seattle has faced a troubling year with over 200 shootings reported thus far, seven of which have been deadly. Last year, the city saw more than 700 shootings, nearly mirroring figures from 2023. In response to the rising violence, Police Chief Sean Barnes recently introduced a crime prevention plan to bolster patrols and target repeat offenders, with collaboration from federal agencies to tackle illegal gun and drug activities.
Meanwhile, in Pierce County, Lakewood police are investigating a significant crime scene at Harry Todd Park, where seven people were injured in a shooting. The suspect or suspects remain at large. The chaos erupted just before 8 p.m. near American Lake, with victims later appearing at local hospitals. Witness accounts describe a frantic scene as people scrambled to escape the gunfire.
Residents express fear and concern over the surge in violence, underscoring a city grappling with safety and security challenges.