A confrontation outside a Kent bar in the early hours of Thursday escalated into gunfire, leaving one person injured and two men in custody as police continue to piece together what unfolded in the moments before dawn. The shooting occurred just after 2 a.m. outside the Inn Between Pub on 104th Avenue SE, adding to a growing list of late-night incidents in suburban King County that start as disputes and end in gunfire.
Kent police arrived on scene shortly after reports of shots fired in the parking lot. Witnesses directed officers to a black SUV believed to be involved. The vehicle, still parked outside the pub, belonged to a 63-year-old man from Federal Way who reportedly refused to comply with police commands. According to officers at the scene, the man reached into his vehicle before eventually placing a handgun on the roof. He was arrested following a brief standoff, with no additional force required.
Roughly 20 minutes later, an 18-year-old Seattle man arrived at Valley Medical Center in Renton with a gunshot wound to the leg. At first, he told hospital staff he had been shot in Tacoma. But investigators quickly linked him to the Kent incident based on evidence and witness testimony.
According to initial findings from Kent police, the dispute appears to have stemmed from an altercation in the pub’s parking lot involving both men. The younger man, accompanied by several others, allegedly confronted the older man over a personal disagreement. The situation escalated when someone in the group attempted to snatch a necklace from the older man, who was then shoved to the ground.
In response, the 63-year-old drew a firearm and shot the teen in the leg, causing the group to scatter. Investigators say the injured teen returned moments later and fired back but missed. Police later recovered firearms from both individuals.
The 18-year-old now faces charges of assault and unlawful possession of a firearm—charges that reflect his status as legally prohibited from carrying a weapon. The older man remains in custody pending a prosecutorial review to determine whether the shooting will be treated as self-defense or if charges will be filed against him as well.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses and continuing to collect evidence from the scene. Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests or charges, depending on what the footage and witness interviews reveal.
No other injuries were reported in the incident. As the investigation progresses, police say they are also working to assess whether either gun used in the incident was linked to prior criminal activity.
