SEATTLE — Police said Friday that a shooting at one of Seattle’s most iconic live music venues was gang-related.
Three people were shot when someone opened fire in a drive-by shooting on the Crocodile Café at 2nd Avenue and Blanchard, though police believe the shooter was aiming at an unoccupied vehicle outside the venue and the victims were not the intended targets.
Police said that the shots seemed generally directed at some people who were at a hip-hop concert at the club on Thursday night and that itthe shooting was based on a fight between two gangs.
The Crocodile opened as usual on Friday at 4 p.m. and does plan to host a concert at 8 p.m.
A Harborview Medical Center spokesperson said one man who was hit outside the club is in serious condition in the ICU; a woman who was inside the club is satisfactory; and the condition of the third victim, another woman who was inside, is still unclear.
Police said all victims were believed not to have life-threatening injuries.
Kyle Fitzpatrick lives nearby and woke to the sound of gunshots. Twenty seconds later, he said, he saw three vehicles race down Blanchard going the wrong way and speed down 2nd Avenue.
“It was at least six to 10 shots that I heard,” he said. “It was incredibly loud.”
Crisscrossing crime-scene tape marked off the bar overnight. It’s known for hosting numerous bands over the years, including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Macklemore.
“I was in the bar area, and then I heard two shots,” Samantha Cambray said. “Then I tried looking for my sister.”
“I was in the front, at the stage and they were pulling me down, but I just kind of ran backstage,” her sister, Veronica Cambray, said.
“I mean, it's terrible,” Fitzpatrick said. “People here for a show and they get shot, you know — it’s not something that you want to see or hear about ever.”
Police say over the past week, there have been six “shots fired” attacks like this, targeting property like houses and cars, but mostly in South Seattle and South King County.
They have warrants for some of the people involved in some of these shootings but they are still looking for the suspects.
Shooting investigation at 2/Blanchard. 3 victims being transported to hospital. Still active scene, PIO enroute.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) January 20, 2017
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