On October 22nd at around 2:38 AM, West Precinct officers responded to the area of 2nd and Bell Street where there were reports of two shots being fired. Officers arrived and located a male with a gun shot wound to his hand.
The shooting victim reported that approximately 3 men approached him and his brother. One of them, the primary suspect, asked if the victims wanted to buy drugs. The victim and his brother stated “no”. The same suspect then brandished a handgun and demanded the victims’ wallets. The brother of the shooting victim gave the suspect his wallet. The shooting victim refused. The suspect then pointed the muzzle of the gun at the victim’s chest. The victim pushed the gun away using his hand. As he did so, the suspect pulled the trigger shooting the victim in the hand. The victim and several witnesses informed officers that the 3 men fled on foot, splitting up in different directions. The victims and witnesses continued to chase the shooting suspect until he got into a car and fled. A description of the suspect vehicle was provided to investigating officers.
Seattle Fire Department medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center for emergency care.
Shortly thereafter a West Precinct patrol officer observed the suspect vehicle at 4th and James. The suspect refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. This pursuit lasted approximately two minutes, until the suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed while attempting to take the Lakeview exit off of northbound I-5. The suspect was taken into custody and a gun was recovered. The SPD Robbery Unit responded to the scene to take over the investigtion.
The suspect is receiving treatement for injuries sustained in the collision. Upon the completion of his medical treatment, he will be booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery, Assault, Eluding and Violation of the Uniformed Firearms Act.