1 dead, 6 injured in shooting outside large event in downtown Renton

RENTON, Wash. — RENTON, Wash. — One man was killed and six others were injured in a shooting in downtown Renton early Saturday, according to the Renton Police Department.

Just before 1 a.m., police responded to the 100 block of Logan Avenue South after receiving multiple reports of shots fired.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 32-year-old man who was badly injured.

A man who spoke to KIRO 7 on camera but did not want to be identified recounted hearing the initial shots. “I was sleeping when it started, and when the girls ran out, I just hit the floor because I didn’t know what to do,” he said.

He said the gunfire erupted and woke him very early in the morning, and he was able to go outside and see the aftermath. “I didn’t know where to run to, because there was gunshots going everywhere. I just turned around, and the gunshots started again. There was people shot in the foot. ... The shooters had already gone when the police got here.”

Renton Police Detective Robert Onishi gave some more details to KIRO 7, saying that when officers and other responders arrived, they were met by a hostile crowd. “It was definitely a volatile situation,” Onishi said. “It’s not the kind of thing that makes our job any easier.”

Officers did find the victims and tried to treat one of them, but the reaction from the crowd forced them away from the scene. “When Fire got there, they were forced to pack up the victim (and) transport him to a more secure location so that they didn’t have to deal with the angry crowd,” Onishi said. First responders “attempted to treat him there,” but “despite their efforts, he passed.”

Six other victims suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

About 50 officers from multiple agencies and fire personnel responded to the scene, and four guns were found at the scene.

Renton police said the man who died was a 32-year-old from Tacoma.

Officers say their initial investigation indicates that a dispute outside of a large gathering at a rental venue led to gunfire, possibly by multiple suspects.

Residents in the area reportedly told police that they heard an argument, then a large number of gunshots. Police have yet to determine what caused the argument.

Police told KIRO 7 that an event with performers from multiple places — including from out of state — was being held at the rental hall at the time of the shooting.

Onishi said no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. “Nobody we had talked to or who would talk to us saw this incident,” he said. “There were a number of people who heard it — the sounds of the argument, a whole bunch of gunshots — but nobody who actually saw this. So we don’t know how many shooters we had.”

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