Seattle police are investigating a homicide that occurred Monday morning inside a hookah lounge with a troubled history in the Chinatown-International District.
Officers responded just before 8 a.m. to the 400 block of Rainier Avenue South near South Jackson Street following reports of gunfire. Inside the Evangadio Hookah Lounge, police discovered a man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound.
Seattle Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, the man died in the operating room.
Investigators determined that an argument had occurred inside the hookah lounge before the shooting. According to police, a male suspect fired multiple rounds from the front steps of the business into the lounge, striking the victim. Several other patrons were inside during the shooting but escaped injury.
The gunman fled the scene before law enforcement arrived and remains at large. Police have not released a detailed description of the suspect or information about what sparked the initial argument.
Judy, a neighbor who requested her last name not be used, expressed frustration with escalating violence in the area. “I walked by here some days ago, maybe two weeks ago, and there was another shooting,” she said. “Seattle was the best place, and now it is getting to be the worst, and I would like the judges or somebody to do something so the place can be safer.”
Law enforcement cordoned off the surrounding area while homicide detectives and crime scene investigators processed evidence. The investigation involves documenting the scene, collecting ballistic evidence, and interviewing witnesses who were present during the incident.
Michele, a resident who lives nearby, voiced similar concerns about neighborhood safety. “I feel bad because they need to do something about all the crime around here, and it’s like they’re not doing anything,” she said.
The King County Medical Examiner will formally identify the victim and determine the official cause and manner of death, standard procedure in homicide investigations. The victim’s identity will be released once family members have been notified.
The Evangadio Hookah Lounge has faced regulatory scrutiny throughout the year. The establishment’s owner is scheduled to appear before a hearing examiner Tuesday to address compliance issues.
Records show the business has been cited five times in the current year for violating Seattle’s late-night business ordinance. The ordinance establishes safety requirements for establishments operating during late hours, including security measures and operational standards designed to reduce violence and disturbances.
The repeated violations suggest ongoing challenges with compliance at the location, raising questions about whether inadequate security measures contributed to Monday’s fatal shooting. Late-night business regulations typically require establishments to maintain security personnel, adequate lighting, and surveillance systems.
The early morning timing of the shooting, occurring just before 8 a.m., indicates the hookah lounge was operating during extended hours. Establishments serving late-night clientele often face elevated risks of altercations as patrons gather during unconventional hours.
The Chinatown-International District has experienced periodic struggles with crime and public safety concerns. The historic neighborhood, located south of downtown Seattle, contains a mix of residential buildings, businesses, and entertainment venues.
Community members have expressed frustration that violence seems to recur in certain locations despite resident complaints and regulatory actions. The shooting occurring at a business with multiple citations amplifies concerns about enforcement effectiveness.
Seattle Police Department officials are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. The department accepts anonymous tips, allowing witnesses to provide information without revealing their identities.
Investigators will be particularly interested in speaking with individuals who were inside the hookah lounge before or during the shooting, as well as anyone who may have witnessed the suspect fleeing the area. Security camera footage from the business and surrounding properties may also provide crucial evidence.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify and locate the shooter. The man’s flight from the scene and continued absence suggest he understood the severity of his actions and sought to avoid apprehension.
Tuesday’s hearing examiner proceeding regarding the business’s regulatory violations takes on added significance in light of the fatal shooting. The examiner may consider whether the establishment’s repeated violations contributed to conditions that allowed the violence to occur.
