Man found dead after shots fired in South Park neighborhood
Seattle Police are investigating a shooting in the South Park neighborhood as a homicide.
It happened near 12th Avenue South and South Cloverdale Street.
Investigators said that around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, someone reported shots fired in the area.
“South Park be crazy down here, people just shooting and stuff,” said a neighbor.
“We woke up, we saw the lights flashing through the curtains,” said Michael Green, who also lives nearby.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with a gunshot wound who was unresponsive. He was declared dead at the scene.
At 5 a.m., the body remained at the scene as homicide detectives and the Seattle Police Department Crime Scene Investigation unit collected evidence. Police blocked off South Cloverdale between 12th and 14th avenues. The streets have since reopened.
Earlier, KIRO 7 reporter Briseida Holguin saw police talking to a man. She asked the SPD spokesperson if he was somehow involved.
“Police are determining whether or not he is involved and the circumstances of why he’s in the area, but I don’t have that information yet,” said SPD spokesperson Judinna Gulpan.
SPD says this is the 57th homicide this year. That’s more than any other year on record dating back to 2008. Last year, police reported 52 homicides for the entire year.
Green says he’s not surprised.
“Yeah, that doesn’t make you feel as safe as you should be, but you know, just keep your head on a swivel and be as safe as you can… It happens — major city you know,” said Green.
SPD says now, more than ever, they need the community’s help.
“We are dedicated to making sure that again, we are responding to 911 calls, and we do ask the community that if you are witnessing or have information to please give our (Violent Crimes Tip Line) a call — that is 206-233-5000, so that we can locate these individuals who are causing these violent crimes,” said Gulpan.
