Detectives are investigating a pair of shootings in the Central District that sent one man to the hospital Thursday evening.
Officers were first called to Judkins Park near 23 Ave and Judkins St at about 8:30 PM when a group in the park began shooting at a passing car. Though no one was injured in the shooting, the targeted car sped from the scene and crashed nearby causing minor injuries to the vehicle’s four occupants.
Police have recovered shell casings from the park and will be submitting them as evidence. Gang detectives are handling the continued investigation of the Judkins Park shooting.
Shortly after 9 PM, officers responded to reports of gunfire at Powell Barnett Park near Martin Luther King Jr Way and Jefferson St. Witnesses reported to police that a vehicle exchanged gunfire with people standing inside the park. As a family of four drove past the park, a bullet struck the interior of the car. Fortunately, no one inside the car was hurt. Though all suspects had fled the scene before police arrived, a K9 officer located a gun near the park as well as bullet casings which have been collected for the investigators.
About fifteen minutes after the shooting at Powell Barnett Park, 31-year-old man was found on the ground after being dropped off in front of a nearby hospital. Medics transported the man to Harborview Medical Center with life threatening injuries.
Homicide and CSI detectives are speaking with witnesses and collecting evidence as they investigate the shooting in Powell Barnett Park.
Anyone who may have witnessed or have information about either shooting are asked to please call 911 and speak with an officer.