A community outreach event in Seattle, Washington turned into a scene of chaos and violence on Friday night when gunfire erupted, leaving five people wounded. Two victims are currently fighting for their lives in critical condition. The shooting took place in the parking lot of an old King Donut shop in King County, according to a press release conducted by the Seattle Police Department. The incident has shocked the community, as the victims were actively engaged in outreach efforts to help others.
Four of the victims were swiftly transported to a Seattle hospital, as confirmed by Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz during a press conference held hours after the incident. Fortunately, the fifth victim received treatment at the scene and did not require hospitalization. Chief Diaz expressed his deep concern about the distrubing nature of the shooting.
Images from the scene revealed the presence of at least 50 evidence tags scattered on the ground, marking bullet casings. Chief Diaz emphasized that numerous rounds were fired, and it is believed that two suspects opened fire from the parking lot into the adjacent area where the event was taking place. The Seattle Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit has taken charge of the investigation, but the suspects remain at large as of Saturday morning.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell expressed his condolences, referring to the shooting as a “tragedy.” He commended the police department for their quick response and assistance to the victims. Mayor Harrell highlighted the dedication of community leaders who put their lives on the line to protect their neighborhoods.
According to department statistics, a total of 335 people have lost their lives to gun violence in Seattle since the beginning of the year, with an additional 363 individuals suffering non-fatal gun-related injuries. In the current month alone, 65 people have been killed in the city.