Seattle authorities were placed on high alert after a reported shooting incident in Highland Park, leading to the arrest of a 73-year-old convicted felon. The Seattle Police Department shared details of the apprehension that took place on Thursday afternoon, following reports of a man discharging a firearm from within a tiny home village located on the 9700 block of Meyers Way South.
According to SPD Blotter, officers received a call at 12:38 p.m. about the suspect who not only shot rounds towards common areas of the village but also through a door when a 23-year-old employee attempted to check on him. Thankfully, the employee evaded injury. As residents evacuated the area, police worked to secure the scene and assure their safety.
The standoff that ensued lasted nearly two hours, involving officers from the Hostage Negotiation Team engaging with the suspect via cell phone. The SWAT team was also on the ground as the suspect continued to fire additional rounds. No officers were harmed during this altercation.
Eventually, the efforts of the Hostage Negotiation Team resulted in the suspect's peaceful surrender. In a statement released by SPD Blotter, the suspect, who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, was "booked into King County Jail for Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm." Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit are investigating the sequence of events that led to the standoff, with a search warrant issued to recover the gun and ballistic evidence.
The suspect's name has not been released, pending further investigation. Local residents and community leaders await more information as the inquiry into the circumstances preceding the Highland Park shooting continues.
