SPD Chief Barnes: 3 deadly shootings in 4 days in Seattle

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is investigating three fatal shootings in four days.

Two murders in the SODO district happened within a couple of hours of each other early Sunday morning, and one shooting occurred near the University of Washington Thursday night.

Just after 4:00 a.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at First Avenue South and South Dakota Street, about two blocks south of the Spokane Street Viaduct.

When they arrived, they found two juveniles who had been shot. One suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. The other had been shot in his leg.

Medics took both to Harborview Medical Center to be treated for their wounds. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save the juvenile with the chest wound, and he died at the hospital.

Second shooting in SODO less than 2 hours later

Detectives are also investigating a second shooting that took place less than two hours later, about 1.5 miles north of the location of the first shooting.

Just after 6:00 a.m., a 911 call reporting a man down led police to a shooting victim in a parking lot near 4th Avenue South and South Massachusetts Street, near the on-ramp to I-5 from 4th Avenue South.

Officers arrived shortly after and found a man who had been shot several times. Seattle fire crews also made it to the scene, and medics attempted life-saving medical treatment. But the victim died at the scene.

A 2nd homicide in Seattle’s SODO District Sunday morning, took place near 4th S. & S. Massachusetts. (Photo: Seattle Police Dept.)

Police said they also found an unoccupied sports car next to the man shot. They said it had been involved in a collision, was heavily damaged, and not drivable.

So far, police have not identified any suspects in either shooting.

SODO shootings stem from gathering, car crash

The SPD said the first shooting, on 1st Avenue South, stemmed from an unauthorized and unregulated gathering. Investigators believe the second homicide is potentially linked to a vehicle collision or some sort of altercation.

Shooting in University District Thursday

There was also an apparently premeditated homicide at a University District church on Thursday. Officers arrived on the scene and found a 28-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses of the shooting spotted a potential suspect flee before police arrived. The unidentified person left in a white Hyundai Elantra with black wheels and a damaged front passenger window.

The suspected car was later found torched in a different church property in Phinney Ridge. Police are still searching for a suspect.

SPD chief releases statement

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes released a statement expressing his concern about gun violence in the city over the past three days:

Our dedicated officers, detectives, and crime scene investigators are actively engaged in all three investigations, pursuing leads with utmost diligence. Our analytical team is diligently reviewing public surveillance footage and digital records to provide insights into the circumstances leading to these tragic events and to identify those responsible.

We want to reassure the community that we are committed to preventing further incidents of gun violence. Achieving this goal requires collaboration between the criminal justice system and the community. We encourage everyone to report any indicators of potential violence they may observe, as early intervention is crucial for prevention.

The Seattle Police Department continuously analyzes and screens all incidents of violence in our city, refining our strategies to enhance safety and prevent future occurrences. Our department holds meetings twice a week to discuss violent crime trends and to determine resource allocations based on data-driven approaches and assessed needs.

We urge anyone with information concerning these cases to call SPD’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. Together, we can work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and maintain the safety and security of our city.

The Seattle Police Department remains resilient and relentless in its mission to protect our community.”

This story was originally published on August 3, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

Contributing: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest