A late-night gunfire incident in West Seattle ended with a 36-year-old man in custody after police say he opened fire inside his own apartment, prompting an emergency response and the evacuation of neighboring residents.
The shooting took place just before 11 p.m. on July 31 at an apartment building along the 3200 block of California Avenue Southwest. Seattle police arrived to the sound of active gunfire and yelling from inside the suspect’s unit. Officers quickly established a perimeter and brought in the department’s Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) to de-escalate the situation.
As officers moved to secure the area, residents in adjacent units were urgently evacuated. According to police reports, many were visibly shaken, with some telling officers they feared for their lives as the chaos unfolded just feet away.
Negotiators eventually convinced the suspect to surrender peacefully. He was treated for injuries at the scene by Seattle Fire Department medics, then transported to Harborview Medical Center for further evaluation under police supervision.
Once the man was in custody, investigators secured a search warrant and entered the apartment. Inside, officers found multiple firearms, gun parts, ammunition, and suspected methamphetamine. Police say the man is a convicted felon, making his possession of firearms illegal under state and federal law.
Following his discharge from Harborview, the suspect was booked into King County Jail on multiple charges, including Investigation of Assault in the First and Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit have taken over the case and are continuing to examine the weapons and substances recovered from the apartment.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns around gun access and mental health crises in residential communities. While no injuries were reported among residents, police say the swift action of officers and negotiators likely prevented a more dangerous outcome. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine what led to the outburst and whether additional charges may be filed.
