Two people were shot Monday morning near Seattle’s CHOP zone, leaving one dead and the other critically injured.
The shooting took place around 3 a.m. Monday and marks the fourth instance of a shooting within or near the autonomous zone. Both victims were taken to the hospital. One died at the hospital, according to local news outlet KOMO News.
Seattle police have not released additional information on the victims or suspects, but an investigation is underway.
Woke up to what sounded like gunfire and this scene just after 3 am this morning. #CHOP @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/YGjY8AOtII
— Joseph Suttner (@josephsuttner) June 29, 2020
Officers investigating a shooting near 12 Ave/Pike Street. Reports of two people injured. More information when available.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) June 29, 2020
“I’m aware of 3 shootings and one murder that was a result of a shooting in the zone,” Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best told CNN over the weekend. “We’ve also had some assaults, sexual assaults, a robbery, and a couple of arsons. So the level of violence that is starting in that area certainly increased over time, and it is no longer a block party. It’s a real public safety issue … it’s been difficult, we’ve been working with our stakeholders to make sure we have a good resolution to this. It’s gone on far too long, and we are actively working with administrators, the community, and others who support us to get back in the precinct and provide effective public safety for all who live and reside in that area.”
A teenager was injured in a shooting last weekend near the police-free zone. Another person was killed and another injured by gunfire the day before.
Protesters overtook the area, which includes a now-abandoned police precinct, on June 8 amid protests against police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes despite his pleas for air.
City employees attempted to clear parts of the area over the weekend, but were met with resistance from the protesters.
“City workers were met with significant resistance by protesters, who grew increasingly agitated and aggressive,” a spokesperson for Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office told Fox News.
