Seattle police detectives are investigating a homicide this morning at a hookah lounge in the Chinatown-International District.
Just before 8:00 a.m., patrol officers responded to a shooting in the 400 block of Rainier Avenue South. There, police found a man, 30s, suffering from a gunshot wound. Police and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) provided medical treatment to the victim.
SFD transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in serious condition. Despite all life-saving efforts by doctors, the man died in the operating room at HMC.
Officers determined that there was an altercation inside of the hookah lounge before the shooting took place. The suspect fired multiple rounds, striking the victim. Multiple people were inside of the business during the shooting, but they were not injured.
The suspect, an adult male, fled the area before police arrived and officers did not locate him.
Police cordoned off the area until the Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Units responded to process the scene.
The King County Medical Examiner will identify the victim and determine the cause and manner of death.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are accepted.
Incident Number: 2025-351783