Gunfire cut through a quiet stretch of downtown Seattle late Wednesday night, leaving a 21-year-old security guard shot in the groin near Western Avenue and Marion Street, according to police. Officers were called to the area shortly before 11 p.m. and found the wounded man, then turned him over to Seattle Fire crews, who transported him to Harborview Medical Center. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and detectives from the Seattle Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit have opened an investigation. As of Thursday morning, no suspects were in custody.
Scene and witnesses
Witnesses told officers that two to three male suspects were involved in the incident, but only one appeared to fire at the victim, according to police. Officers secured and sealed off the immediate area so investigators could process the scene and look for evidence. As reported by KIRO 7 News, detectives could not immediately confirm whether the security guard was working at the time he was shot.
Investigators on the case
The Seattle Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit is handling follow-up on the downtown shooting, a typical assignment for the specialized team as it works to identify suspects, gather surveillance footage and interview witnesses. According to the Seattle Police Department blotter, the unit has been involved in proactive arrests and follow-up firearm investigations. Anyone with information about the Western and Marion shooting is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
Downtown safety and trends
The shooting adds to a recurring public safety concern in Seattle’s urban core, where police have responded to hundreds of shooting scenes over the past year. The pattern has kept gun violence on the radar for city officials and residents alike, and The Seattle Times has reported on those trends and the police response to downtown gun violence. Police are asking anyone who witnessed Wednesday night’s incident or who may have video from the area to contact investigators, and say they expect to release more details as the inquiry continues.
