SEATTLE, WA – A deadly shootout unfolded at Golden Gardens Park in Ballard, leaving one man dead and three others injured on Thursday afternoon. The incident was allegedly sparked by a dispute over a stolen car, according to the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
SPD’s initial report came in at 4:06 p.m., confirming a shooting in the 8400 block of Seaview Place Northwest. Tragically, a 44-year-old man lost his life in the confrontation. A 25-year-old man also suffered from gunshot wounds and was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
Lori Aagard of SPD revealed that the incident involved two separate scenes but originated from a single event at Golden Gardens Park. The core of the conflict seemed to revolve around a stolen vehicle, which had been taken from a different location before ending up at the park. However, it remains uncertain whether the incident was an attempt to recover the stolen car.
Shortly after reporting the Golden Gardens shooting, SPD tweeted about another incident at 26th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street. According to the Seattle Fire Department (SFD), two people at that location had gunshot wounds – a 50-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man. Both were transported to Harborview Medical Center. However, it was later clarified by SPD that the only shooting occurred at Golden Gardens Park. The individuals from the second scene had fled from the initial incident.
Lori Aagard indicated that all individuals involved in the shootout had been identified and accounted for. The unfolding events were captured by a news chopper, which observed officers and paramedics responding to the scenes as they provided critical assistance to the victims.