Seattle Police arrested a 42-year-old man after he was shot during a commercial burglary in South Seattle this morning.
At 2:05 a.m., patrol officers responded to a reported burglary in the 4200 block of Rainier Avenue South. While responding, an additional 911 call reported an injured man, bleeding, a few blocks north of the crime scene.
Police located the suspect near Rainier Avenue South and South Andover Street and treated a gunshot wound which severely injured his hand. They provided medical treatment, including a torniquet, until the Seattle Fire Department arrived on and continue medical.
The man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition and placed under arrest for Investigation of Burglary. Suspected narcotics were also found on him. He is expected to be booked into King County Jail pending medical evaluation.
Officers determined the male suspect broke into the business and was confronted by an armed businessman that was asleep when the break-in occurred. The victim, 71, reported the burglar was armed with a knife and he shot him in self-defense.
The victim remained on scene and cooperated with detectives. The gun was recovered as evidence. The sheers believed to be used by the suspect were also recovered.
Detectives in the felony General Investigations Unit processed the crime scene and have taken lead on this investigation.