Two straight nights of gunfire rattled Renton’s Gene Coulon Park this week, sending parkgoers scrambling and leaving shell casings scattered across the north end of the waterfront. Officers were called to separate shots-fired incidents on Monday and again on Tuesday evening, and nearby residents described the noise as sustained bursts. No arrests were announced in initial updates, and police asked anyone with information to contact them.
According to a post by Renton Police Department, the events were logged under case numbers 26-2705 (Monday) and 26-2669 (Tuesday). The department said officers recovered dozens of shell casings and found multiple vehicles struck by bullets in the park’s north end, and that the Violent Crime Unit and a Directed Enforcement Team will be investigating. Police added they are increasing patrols in the area while detectives follow leads.
Witnesses reported chaos near the north shelter
Neighbors and people who were at the park posted accounts on community forums and social media, with several users saying they initially thought the sounds were fireworks before realizing they were gunshots. A Reddit thread where nearby residents shared firsthand accounts describes vehicles leaving the scene and at least one person saying their car was struck by bullets, though those claims remain unverified. Those online reports reflect local alarm over the incidents and add eyewitness detail investigators will likely review.
Park has seen shooting incidents in past years
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park has been the site of previous shootings, including a 2020 drive-by that left two people wounded, according to reporting by KIRO-TV. Those earlier incidents prompted canvassing for video and tips, steps Renton police say they are repeating now as detectives work the current cases.
Investigators seek video and tips
Renton police said detectives will review surveillance and any bystander video as they work to identify suspects, and urged residents with information to call 911 and reference the case numbers listed in their post. Per Renton Police Department, the Violent Crime Unit and Directed Enforcement Team are leading the probe and patrols in the area have been increased. Authorities did not immediately release suspect descriptions or confirm injuries beyond saying none were identified in their update.
Anyone who was in or near Gene Coulon Park on those evenings and who may have video is asked to preserve the footage and contact local authorities. Police said they will provide further updates as the investigation continues.
