Shots fired in downtown Seattle - 3rd and Virginia - Friday afternoon

[LisaM]

We just got this sent to us at work:

From KOMO NEWS

SEATTLE - Police and SWAT teams are responding to reports of several shots fired at or near the Jewish Federation Center at 3rd and Virginia in Downtown Seattle.

The situation is still fluid and the suspect or suspects may not be in custody yet. Video from Air 4 showed at least one, perhaps two people in police custody, but there may still be more suspects.

We have heard unconfirmed reports that several people have been shot, but exact details are not known. One person was reportedly shot in the abdomen and another in the arm. They are being taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center.

The surrounding area has been blocked off and police ask that you please avoid the area.

[merwin]

1. What is this city coming to?

Too much violence...

[puffthemagicdragon]

9. seattle has been creeping me out

since the Capital Hill shootings I can't shake being creeped out. What happened downtown was sick and rediculous. Too many women victims....the two women and two children recently stabbed in kirkland, the two women hikers, and now all victims today were women :(

[LisaM]

2. I was out shopping at lunch and I felt really uneasy

everyone seemed kind of angry. And have you noticed at Westlake Center, people hang out there with pit bulls?

At a number of different intersections, there were just crowds of kids standing around - nowhere to go, nothing to do. Just standing there. It was hard to get through them. Panhandling has really increased, and I've also noticed that where four or five years ago, people would sell Real Change about every four or five blocks, now they are on every block.

[flamingyouth]

3. Just horrible

I feel a little ill, I have to say. :(

[LisaM]

4. Are you downtown?

I am and the buses aren't running at the moment. I'm blocks away from the shootings, but I'm afraid to leave my building.

[flamingyouth]

5. No, I'm at home

I understand that 3rd is totally closed off and possibly 4th as well.

I'm so sorry, it must be very frightening for you. :hug:

[Pierzin]

6. Thanks Lisa M, Be Safe!

I have to say, I have wondered about safety. There is more panhandling, for sure. I go from Capitol Hill - downtown,& The Pike corridor between 1st and 4th is really bad. But a shooting at 3rd and Virginia??? This is horrible.:hug: What is happenning in this city???

[icymist]

7. This is all so sad. n/t

[uppityperson]

8. Seattle Times update

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003159826_webbelltown28.html
A woman was dead and five others were hospitalized this afternoon after a shooting at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building in downtown Seattle by a man who declared he was "angry with Israel."...(more@link)

[maxsolomon]

10. NOT A HATE CRIME

just another crazy with easy access to handguns.

let me point out a few things, also:
1. he was from EASTERN WASHINGTON. our tax $ pave your roads, we take the brunt of the violence from your crazies, and YOU resent US?
2. SPD stopped him for a traffic violation just before this happened. he walked away with his gun. they didn't "gun grab", NRA members.