Man arrested on misdemeanor gun charges in fatal Pioneer Square shooting

On Friday night KIRO 7 learned a man had turned himself in and was booked on misdemeanor gun charges related to the fatal Pioneer Square shooting Thursday night that occurred during an art gathering.

It happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. on the rooftop of a building in the 400 block of Occidental Avenue South.

When officers arrived, they found a 30-year-old man with gunshot wounds.

Despite receiving aid from the police and the Seattle Fire Department, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Seattle Police confirm this is the third homicide in the neighborhood, matching 2023′s total in Pioneer Square.

A second individual, a man, was discovered with a non-life-threatening injury caused by a shattered tile during the gunfire.

“I don’t think it’s the most surprising,” said Mia Cyger who works several days a week in the neighborhood.

“I did get followed this morning a little bit, so I think there are times when it feels less safe than others, but generally, during the day, it’s a very lovely space and there are not very many issues.”

The party was a kickoff to the Forest for the Trees festival where murals from 37 different artists are painted in different areas across Pioneer Square. KIRO 7 spoke with several people who are part of the festival who hope people still visit the exhibits despite the shooting Thursday night.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bruce Harrell responded in a statement to Thursday night’s events, expressing condolences for the victim and recommitting to downtown events.

“We continue to support a wide array of events and activations that increase activity—people in the neighborhood, feet on the street, eyes on the ground—which can help improve safety as we bring people downtown.” The statement said.

District 1 City Councilor Rob Saka also posted on social media, expressing his desire for people to continue to support the festival this weekend and the neighborhood in general.

“Let’s continue to support this great Seattle Art Fair happening this weekend and support many small businesses in Pioneer Square.” Saka posted.

While the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still unclear, and no suspect has been identified, some with the festival believed that the suspect and the victim knew each other.

For Harrell, his spokesperson says this underscores the impact gun violence is having on the city.

“This tragic event underscores the urgent need to take guns off our streets, advance both law enforcement and community-based efforts, and continue advocacy to the state Legislature to overturn state preemption of firearms, so municipalities like Seattle have the freedom to set our own gun safety laws.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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