Seattle police detectives are investigating an armed robbery and shooting at a Rainier Valley smoke shop this morning.
At 2:26 a.m., patrol officers responded to a robbery in-progress via commercial burglary alarm system in the 6300 block of Rainier Avenue South. Additional callers reported hearing bursts of automatic gunfire.
Using one of their vehicles, the suspects broke the front entrance, causing extensive damage and stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of product. The owner was notified by phone and responded.
When he arrived and confronted the suspects, they fired at him striking his vehicle multiple times in the windshield, front bumper and the driver’s side door window. The victim returned fire, defending himself, and the suspects fled the scene in three getaway vehicles.
One of the cars was seen fleeing at a high rate-of-speed westbound on South Graham Street before it crashed on the South Albro Place and I-5 overpass. The occupants ran away from the vehicle.
Police deployed a K9 team and conducted an evidence track from the vehicle which yielded negative results. No arrests were made. The vehicle was impounded to the Processing Room.
Officers cordoned off the area and detectives responded to process the crime scenes. They collected 35 shell casings and additional ballistic, latent print, and video evidence.
Detectives with the Robbery Unit have been assigned to this case.
This incident is related to yesterday’s crime at the same store. If anyone has any information, please call 911 or the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
#2024-274647/South Precinct/Third Watch