'It was sheer panic': 1 dead, 7 wounded in downtown Seattle shootout

SEATTLE - Authorities said a woman was killed and seven people were hurt, including a 9-year-old boy, after gunfire rang out Wednesday in the heart of downtown Seattle, the second shooting in that part of the central business district in about 24 hours.

Two suspects are being sought in connection with the mass shooting, which occurred at or near a McDonalds, located at 3rd Avenue and Pine Street, shortly after 5 p.m. Witnesses said they heard gunfire and then saw two men running down into the transit tunnel.

During a Wednesday night press conference, Seattle police Chief Carmen Best said there were "multiple" shooters involved, but she did not say if it was more then two people involved, which is what several witnesses told KOMO News.

Two 24-year-old men with criminal records later were identified as suspects by police. Both were still at large as of Thursday morning. Both were considered armed and dangerous.

All of the patients were rushed for treatment to Harborview Medical Center, where a 55-year-old female was critically injured and a 9-year-old boy was in serious condition. The woman was upgraded to serious condition Thursday morning, while the child has since improved to satisfactory condition. A 21-year-old man, a 34-year-old man, a 35-year-old man, and a 49-year-old man were discharged from the hospital Wednesday night. A 32-year-old man remains in satisfactory condition at the hospital.

Authorities said the woman who was killed was between 40 and 50 years old.

Police have not released the identities of any of the victims.

Chief Best said a dispute between the suspects erupted in gunfire.

"This was not a random incident," she said, adding that officers arrived on the scene shortly after they received reports of gunfire.

"Even one incident of gun violence is one too many.," she added. "We will relentlessly investigate tonight’s shooting at 3rd and Pine until all those responsible are brought to justice. In the meantime, expect to see police officers on this block until further notice."

The gunfire prompted those in the area to run and seek cover.

"We heard what sounded like a bunch of automatic weapon fire -- just 30-40 shots, just 'Bam-bam-bam-bam-bam!' " said one witness who would only give his name as Win. "We saw people running up the sidewalk toward the McDonalds and hiding around the corner."

A witness saw two men walking from Westlake towards 3rd and Pine and arguing. The argument became violent when the men pulled out guns and started shooting. The victims who were shot appeared to be innocent bystanders who were caught in the crossfire, according to an eye witness.

Several police officers responded to the scene as they looked for a suspect.

A man named Bill told KOMO News that he was in an office and heard gunfire and saw as many as 100 people running to take cover.

"It was sheer panic," he said. "I've never seen anything like it."

The incident snarled the evening commute for motorists as officers closed several streets as they conducted their investigation. There were several evidence markers placed on the street and many buses were stopped.

"It was pretty frightening when we saw people running because you don't know if it's going to be gun shots or firecrackers," Win said.

There were several police cars at the scene and a KOMO News reporter on the scene saw at least three people being placed on stretchers.

Seattle police are pleading for anyone who might have information on the case to give them a call at (206) 233-5000. Or tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS and leave anonymous tips that could be paid a $1,000 reward. Or if you have any photo or video evidence, you can share it with SPD detectives at this link.

Blood Works is also asking for people to donate blood, as the shooting as already taxed a dangerously low inventory in the region.

The area where the shooting occurred has been known in recent years for being a hot spot for crime.

The Downtown Seattle Association released a written statement urging city officials to devote more resources to the area.

"Our hearts go out to the victims of tonight’s shooting in downtown Seattle and we commend the Seattle Police and Fire Departments for their swift response to this tragedy. Criminal activity around Third and Pine has been persistent for far too long and too often has led to violence and innocent lives lost. The heart of our city should feel safe and welcoming for all who live, work and visit here. We call on public officials to devote the resources necessary to improve safety in downtown and take back Third Avenue from the criminals who have laid claim to it. On behalf of residents, small business owners, employers and visitors, we say enough is enough."

Two separate shootings in less than three hours

The shooting at the McDonalds occurred less than three hours from a shooting in the Belltown neighborhood, which was an officer-involved shooting.

In that incident, a 28-year-old man was shot by Seattle police.

Police say the suspect suffered non-life threatening injuries and that the shooting in the 300 block of Blanchard Street involved both the police department and the King County Sheriff's Office.

And about 24 hours earlier, a 55-year-old man was shot and critically wounded at the Westlake center.

The suspect in that shooting was dressed in all black and fled from the scene on foot after the shooting. Police have still not found the shooter in that case.

Mayor Jenny Durkan released the following statement:

Early this evening, a dispute between individuals in our downtown core escalated into gunfire. As a result, a number of people were hit, and one person died. We mourn a tragedy like this wherever it occurs. No one should face such violence, and it impacts all of us when it occurs in the heart of our City.

I extend my support, and that of our City, to the victims and their families," she added. "I also want to express my profound gratitude to our first responders who worked quickly to help those who needed it. The men and women of the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Fire Department work every day to keep our city safe. I am also grateful to our partners at the King County Sheriff’s Office for their support during this incident.

SPD continues its investigation, and is actively pursuing leads. We urge anyone in the public with information about this incident to please call the SPD tip line at (206) 233-5000.