International District shooting ‘is a shocking and profound loss’

A well-known man in Seattle’s International District was not the intended target of a shooting Thursday morning.

Police found a man with life-threatening injuries after reports of multiple shots being fired in the area of 8th Avenue and South Weller Street. The man died at Harborview Medical Center.

KING 5 reports the man was Donald Chin, the director of the International District Emergency Center. The organization provides emergency services to people in the neighborhood.

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Chin was shot just before 3 a.m., according to police. They do not believe Chin was the target.

“The shooting of Donnie Chin is a shocking and profound loss to the people of the Chinatown-International District and the entire Seattle community,” Seattle City Council President Tim Burgess said. “For decades, Donnie was a true servant to the people, graciously and humbly caring for visitors and residents of his neighborhood. He loved his neighbors deeply. He was passionate in his service. He was on duty twenty-four seven, always responding with a helping hand. Donnie’s life of love will always be stronger than the senseless act of violence that cut it short. The thoughts and prayers of Donnie’s friends in city government are with his family and friends in this incredibly difficult time.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information related to this crime are asked to contact the SPD Homicide TIP line at 206-233-5000.