Twilight exit
Police say a fight between parents led up to the deadly shooting at a Seattle nightspot Sunday. (Image via Twilight Exit Facebook)

Gunman and victim fought before Seattle nightclub killing

BY Tim Haeck  on January 29, 2013 @ 4:29 pm (Updated: 8:29 am - 1/30/13 )

Police say a fight between parents led up to the deadly shooting at a Seattle nightspot Sunday.

Killed at the Twilight Exit, in Seattle's Central District, was James Anderson, 24. Deputy Police Chief Nick Metz says a few hours before the nightclub shooting, Anderson had a fight with his girlfriend and then left the home, just a few blocks from the club.

Listen: Witnesses, near victims share terrifying account of Twilight Exit shooting

"The female stayed behind and out of anger, she ended up trashing the house and then left the home and in leaving the home, left their nine-month old baby at the home by itself," said Metz.

Sometime later, police say Anderson showed up at Twilight Exit, shot a bouncer at the club and then shot his girlfriend, identified as a 24-year-old woman. Both gunshot victims remain hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Numerous calls went out to 911 and Metz says officers arrived within four minutes, entering the bar from the alley almost immediately, shouting "Seattle Police" multiple times.

Police say the first officer into the club was Anthony Ducre, who was fired upon by Anderson and returned multiple shots, killing Anderson. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Metz, Officer Ducre received an award for courage in 2012 from the Seattle Police Foundation for his actions during a confrontation with a man at Seattle University.

Police say recent shootings have prepared officers to respond to what they call an "active shooting scene" such as what happened at Twilight Exit.

"We've had active shooters here in our city before with Cafe Racer and our officers knew if they didn't get in there quickly that there could be more than one, two casualties," said Metz.

"Mr. Anderson has a history of several arrests including domestic violence, no felony convictions," said Metz. "It should be noted that Anderson was ineligible to possess a firearm."

Police say the gun Anderson used in the shooting was a 9mm Smith and Wesson, which did not belong to Anderson but was not stolen.

Police also revealed that there was an active no-contact order issued to either the woman or the man who was killed. Metz says the woman has been referred to state Child Protective Services for leaving her baby unattended at home.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (13)


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  • Snout wrote...
    Why show a picture of the weapon
    January 29, 2013 3:53 pm
    and not the perp...I mean suspect?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jaysonoo7 wrote...
    Because making the gun the....
    January 29, 2013 3:59 pm
    Because making the gun the criminal is the goal of the media they want a never ending battle over guns it makes good news.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    ""We've had active shooters here in our city before with Cafe Racer and our officers knew if they didn't get in there quickly that there could be more than one, two casualties," said Metz. "
    January 29, 2013 4:07 pm
    Wow, Luke and Laura didn't know just how close to a near death experiance they have been playing with....but they love the place so what the heck.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    No News On Stats thay say Guns Keep people Safe.
    January 29, 2013 4:41 pm
    All Cities with with gun laws like Chicago. Have the worst crime rate in the nation. Because all the Criminals Have guns. Thugs love an unarmed victim.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    look! It's a "scary looking" gun...
    January 29, 2013 6:11 pm
    ... better outlaw them. Never mind, the perp wasn't allowed to own or poessess one... If they pass new laws criminals will obey them..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Why show a picture of the weapon
    January 29, 2013 6:31 pm
    because that's what kills kids.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • adiru wrote...
    CH
    January 29, 2013 7:13 pm
    So kids were in the night club? By the way, was it the gun (or picture of the gun) that was at fault for the previous crimes that included domestic violence? I guess the dead perp never stole the pistol since the gun is at fault for everything. And before you start your crazed talk about allowing guns to be stolen, remember Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske had his pistol stolen in 2005 when it was locked in his car. But that wasn't his fault, was it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle is a cesspool wrote...
    For just a few minutes alone with you CH...
    January 30, 2013 6:24 am
    The world would be a better place.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    how about the kop
    January 29, 2013 7:46 pm
    that his kid killed his other kid with "his own gun". Did he go to jail? Guns kills kids.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    If the weapon was not there
    January 29, 2013 7:55 pm
    The person would not be dead. Hard concept for a republican to understand. Poor folks, your republican caused welfare recipients, the result of the bush/cheney years are coming back to haunt the American Public. You republican morons have caused many problems in the U.S.A. and you will have to answer for it in the future. Can't wait for 2104 when all the republican trash will be gone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • happy happy joy joy wrote...
    IF guns are evil
    January 29, 2013 9:02 pm
    How do you explain Switzerland longwayhome? Also what is with the "republican, democrat" crap? The right to keep and bear arms is our right, not the claim of "any" political party.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ronzilla wrote...
    Let's talk common sense here for just one moment...
    January 30, 2013 1:23 am
    Indignant Liberal Accustaion: "Do you know that 65% of the people murdered in this country are killed by handguns?"

    Common-sense Conservative reply: "Would it make you feel any better, if they was pushed out of windows?"

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    XKOP
    January 30, 2013 6:31 am
    Naw! She is just another mindless Obama supporter.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }