One man was killed in a shootout with police Sunday after he stole two vehicles at gunpoint in separate incidents in Belltown and Montlake and fired at officers while leading them on a chase through northeast Seattle.
Today’s incident began around 12:30 PM when the suspect entered a downtown coffee shop armed with a handgun, leading employees to call police.
The man then fled to a tattoo parlor at 2nd Avenue and Lenora Street leading to another 911 call. After leaving the shop, the suspect reportedly stole a red Volkswagen at gunpoint and drove to the Montlake area. There, the armed suspect reportedly stole a second vehicle.
Officers began pursuing the suspect in Montlake, where they reported coming under fire from the fleeing suspect.
The man then drove onto westbound 520 and northbound onto Interstate 5 before exiting in the Ravenna neighborhood.
The suspect fired at officers at Northeast 68th Street and 35th Avenue NE. Officers returned fire, fatally wounding the man. He is believed to be a white male in his 30s.
The Seattle Police Department’s Force Investigation Team is reviewing the entirety of the incident. As many as 11 officers are currently believed to have exchanged gunfire with the suspect at two separate locations during today’s pursuit. All officers involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave per department policy.
Several officers and uninvolved motorists were treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in collisions during the incident.
At this time, police are not looking for any additional suspects in the case.
The incident remains under investigation and information contained in this post is subject to change
