Seattle police detectives are investigating a deadly shooting that happened in South Seattle on Monday afternoon.
Around 4:40 p.m., officers were sent to a shooting call near Golf Drive South and South Charles Street, directly adjacent to Dr. Jose Rizal Park, where they found a man with a gunshot wound to the head.
The Seattle Fire Department treated the man, but despite their efforts, he died at the scene. The area was secured as homicide detectives processed the scene.
The circumstances leading to the shooting remain under investigation, and there is currently no suspect information.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line.
The shooting’s proximity to Dr. Jose Rizal Park, a popular Beacon Hill green space with sweeping views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay, raises concerns about public safety in an area typically frequented by families, joggers, and dog walkers during afternoon hours.
The 4:40 p.m. timing means the shooting occurred during daylight hours when the park and surrounding residential streets would likely have had witnesses, though police have not indicated whether anyone has come forward with information.
Gunshot wounds to the head typically prove fatal even with immediate medical intervention, suggesting the victim had little chance of survival despite Seattle Fire Department treatment efforts at the scene.
The lack of suspect information nearly 24 hours after the incident suggests either an absence of witnesses willing to provide descriptions or a shooting that occurred quickly without obvious confrontation that would draw attention before gunfire.
Golf Drive South’s location on the edge of Beacon Hill creates a boundary area between residential neighborhoods and the park, with limited commercial activity that might otherwise provide surveillance camera footage to aid investigators.
The case adds to Seattle’s homicide count for the year, with gun violence remaining a persistent challenge for the city despite overall crime trends showing mixed results across different categories.
Dr. Jose Rizal Park’s significance to the Filipino-American community, named after a Philippine national hero, makes violence near the landmark particularly impactful for Beacon Hill’s diverse immigrant populations who use the park for cultural gatherings.
The SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line provides an avenue for witnesses who may be reluctant to directly contact police or identify themselves, though anonymous tips can complicate investigations when detectives need follow-up information.
