KENT, Wash. — Kent police say the victim, a 48 -year-old Auburn man, was shot in the upper torso and killed around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning near S. 212th and 64th Ave S.
A witness tells KIRO7 the man and his girlfriend were in a car in the parking lot at the Hawthorne Suites when another man approached them.
He says the victim opened the car door, then the suspect fired and took off running.
“He’d been shot in the upper torso possibly due to some drug transactions or argument that took place, we're still trying to iron out those details,” said Cmdr. Jarod Kasner of the Kent Police Department.
Kent police say patrols did catch and arrest a 22-year-old Auburn man who they believe, is the shooter.
It's the second deadly incident at this extended stay complex within one month.
On Dec. 15, 36-year-old Christopher Ochs was severely beaten at the Hawthorne Suites and died from his injuries six days later. So far, no one has been arrested.
“It’s kind of shocking though, two incidents in the same place,” said Jack Wym, who lives at the complex.
“With her being pregnant and us being over here, it's scary but, but we lock our doors and keep to ourselves,” said Demonte Williams, another resident at the complex.
Kent police say there was also a drive-by shooting here in August where more than 70 rounds were fired between two cars. No one was hurt and two people were arrested. Police believe that incident was linked to gang activity.
In August of 2014, a double-murder at the neighboring Shell gas station left two employees dead. One man was arrested in that case.
Kent police say this is an area where they have extra patrols.
“As for trouble spot, crime does occur in this area ad we do enforcement in this area,” Kasner said.
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