SEATTLE — Three women were injured in a shooting early Thursday along Aurora Avenue after a gunman opened fire on their vehicle, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 12:06 a.m. in the 1100 block of North 96th Street. When they arrived, they found an abandoned silver Ford riddled with bullet holes.
A short time later, police learned that three women had arrived at UW Medical Center Northwest. One woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the other two were injured by shattered glass. All three were listed in stable condition.
Detectives said the women were inside the Ford, facing west on North 96th Street, when a dark-colored sedan pulled in front of them. A suspect got out of the sedan and fired multiple rounds into the Ford before returning to the vehicle and fleeing south on Aurora Avenue North, according to police.
Investigators said the Ford was struck by about 22 rounds, with bullet damage throughout the vehicle.
The Seattle Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit is investigating what led to the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call the department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The gunfire erupted in a neighborhood where the city has already taken steps to curb crime. The City of Seattle recently installed concrete barriers and other traffic-calming measures. Some neighbors say it’s not enough.
One man told KING 5, “For the most part, the barriers are just a hindrance, to tell you the truth, because it’s like, what are you going to do—go to the next street or the next street.”
SPD’s Deputy Chief Andre Sayles said he understands the frustration.
“Just as much as they’re frustrated, we’re frustrated as well but that continues to push us to do a better job, continue to work in that area, continue to provide that safety for that community and let them know that we’re going to be here,,” Sayles said. “We’re going to continue to show up and we’re going to be all hands on deck from our patrol officers to our investigative side of the house.”
Another controversial tool is being used to help with this crime. SPD says CCTV cameras and neighbor surveillance are helping them piece together the shooting and identify the suspect car.
