Man killed, 9-year-old nephew hurt in apparent road rage shooting on Capitol Hill

SEATTLE — A man was killed, and a child was injured in a possible road rage shooting on Capitol Hill Saturday evening, said the Seattle Police Department.

Police responded to the shooting in the 1500 block of Harvard Avenue, at the intersection of Broadway and East Pine Street, around 5:18 p.m.

Police found a 23-year-old man and a 9-year-old boy, both with gunshot wounds.

Officers gave first aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived and both were taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.

The man, identified as Elijah Lewis, died at the hospital.

The child, who was shot in the leg, was released from the hospital, according to an HMV spokesperson.

“This is where it’s the hardest thing. For me, I’ve spent a lot of my career focused on gun violence, especially youth gun violence prevention work, and to have a scene like this, where a 9-year-old boy was shot. It’s just horrible,” said SPD Chief Adrian Diaz.

The child was Lewis’ nephew. He was in the front passenger seat of his uncle’s car when the shooting happened, said police.

Family members said Lewis was celebrating his nephew’s birthday on Saturday.

Witnesses said Lewis possibly bumped a man on a scooter and that man reportedly started shooting at Lewis. Lewis’ brother, Mario Dunham, said Lewis tried driving away to protect his nephew.

“As he was driving away, getting shot at, he slowed down so people wouldn’t get hit by his car,” said Dunham.

Lewis was a budding activist for racial justice, coming into his own during protests that followed the George Floyd riots.

Officers took a 35-year-old man into custody. A gun was also recovered at the scene.

Homicide detectives are leading the investigation.

The suspect was booked into King County Jail.

A gofundme account has been set up on behalf of Elijah Lewis’ mother to pay for his funeral and family expenses.

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