Two men were shot Sunday night in Auburn and rushed to local hospitals, where officials say both are now in stable condition. Parts of southeast Auburn were temporarily shut down as officers locked down the area and detectives worked the scene.
What happened
Auburn Police said one victim, an 18-year-old man, was taken to a nearby hospital in a vehicle before being transferred to Harborview Medical Center. Valley Regional Fire Authority crews treated a 50-year-old man who was struggling to breathe, having trouble speaking, and coughing up blood before he was airlifted to Harborview. Officers also took a vehicle into custody that they said contained evidence tied to the shooting, according to KING 5.
Local context
The incident adds to a run of violent episodes in Auburn in recent years. In 2023, a gas-station shootout left two men with life-threatening injuries and highlighted how quickly confrontations can explode in the city, according to The Seattle Times.
Why Harborview
Both victims ultimately landed at Harborview Medical Center, the region's only Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center that serves King County and surrounding areas. As the primary trauma hub for the region, Harborview routinely receives some of the most seriously injured patients from across a wide geographic area, according to Harborview Medical Center.
Investigation underway
Auburn Police told KING 5 that the investigation remains active, and detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the department. Officers have not yet released details about suspects or a possible motive as they continue reviewing evidence and interviewing potential witnesses.
