A man in his early 30s is fighting for his life at Harborview Medical Center after he was shot Tuesday morning near a tent encampment in South Delridge. Seattle police rushed to the scene after reports of gunfire and found the victim in an alley off Delridge Way SW with a gunshot wound to his back. Officers quickly set up a perimeter while medics worked on the victim and investigators started canvassing the area.
The shooting unfolded in the 9200 block of 17th Avenue SW, and witnesses told first responders it happened inside a tent behind a vacant lot, according to West Seattle Blog. The outlet’s live coverage noted officers brought in a K-9 team, while Seattle Fire sent a "scenes of violence" response as investigators combed through the area.
Police and Emergency Response
Seattle Fire Department medics treated an approximately 32-year-old man at the scene and then transported him to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. Seattle police told investigators they believe the shooting was targeted and that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public, according to KING5. That initial report, which includes a photo by Louis Sierra, shows officers and crime tape stretched around the alley where the victim was found.
Encampment and Local Reaction
Neighbors and nearby businesses told West Seattle Blog that the vacant lot, roughly 9222 Delridge Way SW next to Ty’s Auto Repair, has long doubled as an informal encampment and a magnet for safety complaints. The blog’s live updates highlight the property’s troubled history and note that by midday officers said they believed they knew who they were looking for, though no arrest had been made at that point. West Seattle Blog continued providing on-scene updates as the investigation unfolded.
What Police Are Asking
Police are asking anyone with information or video related to the shooting to contact the Seattle Police Department. The SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line is (206) 233-5000, and the department’s non-emergency number is (206) 625-5011, according to the Seattle Police Department. Investigators are still searching the area and say they will release more details as they become available, per KING5.
