A Capitol Hill shooting left one person dead and another in serious condition Thursday evening, with multiple suspects remaining at large, according to the Seattle Police Department.
The incident occurred near East Pike Street and Broadway, with officers responding after reports of gunfire in the area. Seattle Fire Department crews treated a victim at the scene before transporting them to Harborview Medical Center.
At 9:09 p.m., SPD posted on X that while investigating, officers learned of a second victim, a bystander, who arrived at HMC with a gunshot wound.
As of 9:50 p.m., one shooting victim died while being operated on, while the second victim was in serious condition, SPD stated.
No suspects are in custody, police said, asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues. Police believe multiple suspects were involved and all suspects fled the scene on foot.
The shooting occurred in a busy Capitol Hill commercial corridor near numerous bars, restaurants, and businesses that draw heavy pedestrian traffic during evening hours. The East Pike Street and Broadway intersection sits at the heart of the neighborhood’s nightlife district.
The presence of a bystander victim highlights risks to the public when gun violence erupts in crowded urban areas. The victim arrived at Harborview separately from the initial victim transported by fire department crews, suggesting they may have left the scene before officers arrived.
Capitol Hill has experienced periodic gun violence despite being one of Seattle’s most densely populated and heavily trafficked neighborhoods. The area’s concentration of late-night entertainment venues creates both opportunities for crime and challenges for law enforcement response.
