Police are investigating after a wounded 16-year-old arrived at Harborview Medical Center late Sunday night, shortly after SPD received reports of gunfire in the Central District.
Around 11:15 PM, police received a number of 911 calls about gunshots near 21 Ave and East Fir Street. At the scene, officers recovered more than 30 shell casings from different guns and found several buildings and cars had been struck by gunfire. Police weren’t able to locate anyone with injuries at the scene.
Officers contacted a 28-year-old man at an apartment near the scene after receiving information from witnesses that he may have been involved in the shooting.
The man agreed to speak with officers, and told police he was walking with several friends near 21st and E. Fir when two men ran toward them, shouted something referencing Seattle-area gangs, and opened fire.
The 28-year-old man said he ducked behind a car, drew his own firearm, and returned fire. The man then provided police with his concealed weapons permit and the gun used in the incident, which officers took as evidence.
While officers were at the scene investigating the shooting, police received a report that the 16-year-old had arrived at Harborview Medical Center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Police interviewed the wounded teen and two of his friends at the hospital, where they provided officers with differing accounts about where the shooting had occurred. Officers were eventually able to place the teens at the scene of the shooting, but have not yet made any arrests as police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the exchange of gunfire.