A 52-year-old man involved in a shooting outside a Best Buy in downtown Bellevue earlier this week has been released as police continue their investigation. At this time, no charges have been filed.
The incident unfolded around 4:45 p.m. on Monday, July 22, in the 400 block of 120th Avenue NE, not far from the Best Buy parking lot. According to Bellevue Police, a confrontation between the 52-year-old and a 31-year-old man escalated, resulting in gunfire. The older man allegedly shot the younger during the altercation.
Authorities say the shooter remained at the scene and fully cooperated with responding officers. Multiple eyewitnesses were interviewed, and investigators consulted with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office before deciding to release the 52-year-old while the case remains under review.
Police confirmed that the shooting led to a significant law enforcement response in the area.
“It’s shocking because you don’t expect something like that when you come into work,” said Best Buy employee Sean Saxe. He was in the warehouse when a co-worker urgently radioed staff to call 911, initially fearing it might be an active shooter situation.
“I came out and saw 10 to 15 people running behind the building. Someone shouted ‘Gun!’ or ‘Shots!’ and we just took off,” Saxe recalled. He and others sought shelter at the nearby REI store.
The 31-year-old victim was transported in critical condition to Harborview Medical Center. No other injuries were reported.
Bellevue police are continuing their investigation and say that charges may still be considered, depending on the outcome of the ongoing review in coordination with prosecutors.
