Seattle gas station clerk arrested after allegedly shooting at customer
Oct 28, 2024, 6:10 PM
A shell gas station clerk allegedly shot at a customer. (Photo: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
(Photo: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A Seattle gas station clerk is facing charges after police said he opened fire on a customer following an argument over a container of ice.
The incident happened Monday, just before 2 a.m., at the Shell gas station and convenience store on South Dearborn Street in SODO.
“The customer was reported to have lifted his coat, then let go of his coat, possibly inferring that he had a weapon, but that has not been verified,” Seattle Police Department (SPD) Detective Eric Munoz told KIRO Newsradio. “He then went back to his vehicle and drove away off the Shell station property. At this point in time, the clerk ran after him and fired his pistol toward the vehicle leaving the area.”
More local crime: Fugitive arrested by SPD after allegedly making threats at LGBTQ nightclub
At least one SPD patrol officer was in the area, saw what was happening and responded immediately. The officer found a 40-caliber handgun and shell casings in the street, but nothing to indicate the customer was an immediate threat to the store clerk.
“The initial investigating officer, he believes that the vehicle and the driver were not an active threat to the suspect that was taken into custody,” Munoz said. “If you want to look at it as self-defense, if somebody is leaving that immediate vicinity from a verbal argument, that does not give another citizen the right to shoot at them.”
No one was injured in the incident, but a nearby business was damaged by gunfire. The damage is estimated to cost $1,000 to repair.
Other news: Incendiary attacks on ballot drop boxes in Washington, Oregon spark election security concerns
The clerk was arrested for assault, malicious mischief and illegally discharging a firearm, according to SPD. He was booked into the King County Jail.
Police told KIRO Newsradio the investigation is ongoing.
James Lynch is a reporter at KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of James’ stories here. Follow James on X, or email him here.
