By The Seattle Medium
Seattle police faced a number of violent incidents over the first week of 2025, responding to shootings, robberies, standoffs, and assaults across the city. From tense negotiations in a West Seattle Safeway to a homicide in Capitol Hill, the SPD faced numerous challenges to being the new year.
Shots Fired in South Park
At 12:05 a.m. on January 3, officers responded to reports of gunfire in South Park. While an initial search revealed no evidence, a rideshare driver later reported the incident to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim stated that while dropping off a fare near 500 S Trenton St, an unknown vehicle blocked his path. When he attempted to leave, the vehicle followed and fired three shots, striking his car. Officers recovered two .45 caliber shell casings from the roadway. The victim was unharmed, and the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU) is investigating.
Shots Fired During Car Prowl
At 1:52 a.m. the same day, a caller in the 2000 block of 34th Avenue South interrupted a car prowl. The suspects fired multiple rounds at the caller, who took cover behind a parked car. As the suspects fled the area, they fired additional shots.
The caller was unharmed, though a parked vehicle sustained damage. Officers photographed and submitted evidence for processing, and the GVRU is leading the investigation.
Robbery at 76 Gas Station
At 2:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery at a 76 Gas Station on Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. The victim reported that one individual from a group approached him, brandished a knife, and stole $20 in coins and a scratcher ticket.
The suspects fled in a dark-colored sedan, which was later located in a nearby parking lot. The victim identified the suspect during a field show-up. The individual was arrested for investigation of robbery and booked into King County Jail.
ATM Smash-and-Grab at Tobacco Mart
At 3:28 a.m., officers were called to a Tobacco Mart on Rainier Avenue South, where the storefront had been smashed, and parts of a stolen ATM were scattered on nearby streets. Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as an older white utility van occupied by two Asian males.
Although officers detained a potential suspect vehicle, witnesses did not positively identify it or its occupants. The investigation is ongoing.
Felony Arrest After Safeway Standoff
On January 1, police arrested a man after an hours-long standoff at a Safeway in West Seattle. The suspect had reportedly threatened a woman with a dagger earlier that morning near the 9600 block of 28th Avenue Southwest.
Police negotiated with the suspect, who refused to comply with commands, before taking him into custody for felony assault, harassment, and indecent liberties. He was treated by King County Firefighters and transported to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation. The weapon was recovered.
Capitol Hill Homicide Investigation
Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in Capitol Hill on December 21, 2024. A 29-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds near East Pike Street and Broadway. Despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
No suspects have been identified, and the Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Units are leading the investigation.
Unprovoked Downtown Stabbing
On December 29, 2024, a 22-year-old man was stabbed in the lower back during an unprovoked attack near the 1200 block of South Jackson Street. Witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic woman wearing a black shirt and carrying a brown bag.
The victim remains in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center. Officers recovered the knife used in the attack, but the suspect is still at large.
Greenwood Neighborhood Shooting
On December 28, a silver Maserati SUV was shot at in the 10200 block of Linden Avenue North. Witnesses reported that a silver Jeep blocked the Maserati’s path before the Jeep’s driver exited and fired several shots.
Both vehicles fled the scene. No injuries were reported, and police recovered shell casings. The GVRU is investigating.
Other SPD Responses
• January 1: Officers responded to multiple shootings, including one where a man arrived at Harborview Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his foot. Street racing incidents disrupted several areas, leading to citations and ongoing investigations.
• December 31: New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Space Needle saw a large crowd and post-event disturbances, resulting in four arrests. A DUI emphasis patrol netted six arrests, including repeat offenders.
• December 30: Police arrested a domestic violence suspect who had barricaded himself in a residence. SWAT executed a search warrant and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition.
How You Can Help
SPD continues to investigate these incidents and encourages anyone with information to come forward. If you have details about any of these cases, please call 911 or the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000. Anonymous tips are welcome and could be critical in solving these cases and ensuring public safety.