Teen fatally shot in downtown Seattle

SEATTLE — A homicide investigation is underway after a teen was shot and killed Wednesday night in downtown Seattle.

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Police were called at about 7:15 p.m. to the intersection of Third Avenue and Pike Street for reports of a shooting.

Officers said a 15-year-old was shot in the stomach.

The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died.

Police are searching for the shooter.

“Police are reviewing surveillance video that might possibly capture this incident and they’re searching for a suspect,” Seattle Police detective Valerie Carson said. “We’ve already increased our patrols and our officer presence in this area, and of course the uptick in violent crime and gun violence is a major concern for the department.”

The shooting is one of several in the area in recent days.

One person was fatally shot near Third Avenue and Pine Street on Sunday, an area notorious for crime.

On Tuesday, police called to reports of a stabbing witnessed a carjacking in the area. The driver eventually crashed into the Starbucks Roastery on Capitol Hill.

The crime in the area is pushing some business owners to their breaking point. The owner of Piroshky Piroshky said the weekend shooting was just too much and shut down her Third Avenue bakery until further notice.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell acknowledged the lack of public safety is unacceptable. He said the police department is short 500 officers and the department is working to recruit more, but it will take time.

Carson said interim SPD chief Adrian Diaz is planning on rolling out the department’s plan to crack down on violent crime hot spots this week.

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