Two People Shot, One Fatally, In Seattle’s Autonomous Zone: Police

A sign is seen on a barrier at an entrance to the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” in Seattle, Wash., on June 10, 2020. David Ryder/Getty Images

One man was killed and another wounded in an overnight shooting Friday in Seattle’s Capitol Hill protest zone, police said.

Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, which took place around 2:30 a.m., the Seattle Police Department said late Saturday.

“Officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims,” the department said.

“Officers were later informed that the victims, both males, had been transported to Harborview Medical Center by CHOP ’medics.'”

After going to the medical center, officers were told that one of the victims, a 19-year-old male, died. The suspect or suspects are at large and there’s no description of them at this time.

The shooting took place at 10th Avenue and East Pine,

A livestream from the area—alternatively known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) and the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP)—following the shooting featured an announcement of the victim’s death to a group of people at the protest camp.

“The gentleman that got shot did pass,” a woman is heard announcing in the video. “For those of you that are unaware, he is gone, he is no longer with us.”

In another video, which showed a crowd of people and what appears to be a medic sprinting away from the gathering, a Converge Media reporter is heard saying: “We got medics going in different directions here.”

The Facebook Page for Black Lives Matter Seattle Original posted the following statement about the shooting: “There was a shooting at chop/Chaz tonight. At least 2 gunshots fired. We are still finding out information but At least one person is dead and one is at Harborview Medical center. A black man is dead and white person is in critical condition.”

“We are sorry for the person killed tonight and hope the other person makes a full recovery,” the organization added.

The zone was first occupied on June 8.

Protesters inside have compiled an ever-changing list of demands in a post on Medium, including the abolition of the city’s police department and the attached criminal justice apparatus, to reparations for victims of police brutality, among other items.

The zone has prompted President Donald Trump to call on Seattle’s mayor and Washington’s governor, both of whom are Democrats, to “take back” the city. Trump has described those who took over the area as “domestic terrorists.”

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.