As Seattle police (SPD) search for a third suspect in the mass shooting at Seattle Center that killed three people and injured four, tips from the public are po
As Seattle police (SPD) search for a third suspect in the mass shooting at Seattle Center that killed three people and injured four, tips from the public are pouring in about what they describe as a targeted, gang-related shootout.
The case has kept investigators and the public on edge, and police say the volume of information continues to grow.
As of Monday, Seattle police had received 130 tips about the shooting. That total does not include cellphone videos being uploaded to a police portal set up last week.
The shooting also surfaced during public comment at a Seattle City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon, as councilmembers heard from residents before voting on six measures, including one that changes how the city’s existing drug ordinance should be enforced.
“I wanted to kinda touch on public safety with the tragic shooting at Bite of Seattle,” said Sam, a Seattle resident who addressed councilmembers.
“I know public safety isn't solved overnight, but I hope every staffing and budget decision council makes, unanimously asks one simple question: Will an ordinary family or business feel safer?” he said. He emphasized feeling safer while visiting Seattle, from attending a sporting event to walking downtown.
“We need to support law enforcement for the average citizen,” Seattle resident Jeff Rogers told councilmembers. He thanked councilmembers for safety measures at various summer events in the city, including Seafair and a concert Monday night on the Seattle Center grounds.
Police have said the situation has evolved day by day. On Friday, Seattle’s new interim police chief, Andre Sayles, spoke about the outstanding suspect wanted in the gang-related shooting that triggered panic and left three people dead, including one of the alleged gunmen.
“I think we're very close in that finding a suspect and taking a suspect in custody,” Sayles said Friday.
He also cautioned, “When you look at the gravity of that situation, there were so many people involved over at the Seattle Center. And our investigation team wants to make sure that we have the appropriate person that we're looking for.”
Five days later, there has been no arrest of the third suspect.
After requesting a sit-down interview Monday to get an update on the suspect’s identity and whether an arrest was imminent, Sayles’ staff said he would not be available until Friday.
But we did run into Sayles on Monday outside SPD headquarters.
“We are working on it; we're doing some good work. I'm actually going to a meeting right now with our investigative team,” Sayles said.
Asked about the third suspect, Sayles added, “Once I get some information from them, we will for sure let the community know.”
Sayles also confirmed Friday that investigators believe there are potentially other suspects.
