On 1/22/09 at 1050 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots as many as four shots fired in the area of Union Street and 3rd Ave. When the officers arrived, they found that one victim, a male transient in his 40s, had been hit. The victim was found on the sidewalk in front of Benaroya Hall in the S/B Metro bus zone. Seattle Fire medics responded and transported the victim to an area hospital. He was treated for a single gunshot wound to his face, though the wound does not appear to be life threatening at this time. It is not known if the victim was the intended target.
Witnesses at the scene initially reported that they believed that the shots had come from an older red or maroon four-door, possibly a Ford, which had driven by the bus stop and then quickly driven out the area S/B on 3rd Ave. Witnesses reported that the vehicle was occupied by three or four individuals. Officers were not able to locate the vehicle in the area.
However, other witnesses felt that a group of young males who had fled the area on foot were involved in the incident. The majority of these individuals were not contacted. One of them did eventually return to the scene, and Gang Unit detectives detained and interviewed him. His level of involvement is not know at this time. Gang Unit detectives also processed the scene. It also does not appear that Benaroya Hall or any of the surrounding buildings were struck by bullets. The investigation continues.