RAINIER BEACH – One person was killed and another wounded Tuesday night when a gunman opened fire at a Subway sandwich shop in Rainier Beach.
The shooting happened in the 9300 block of Rainier Avenue South at 52nd Avenue South just before 10 pm. Police say it may have been a drug deal “gone bad.”
In an email alert to local block watch captain and former Southeast Seattle Crime Prevention President Mariana Quarnstrom, South Precinct Captain Mike Nolan said that a woman was shot and killed and a man was shot twice but was “expected to live.”
An unnamed officer from the scene confirmed the information early this morning.
Both victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center. The man is said to be in serious condition.
According to police, a possible suspect, described as a black male in dark clothing, was seen running southbound on 52nd Avenue South, but an extensive manhunt was unsuccessful and the shooter remains at-large.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
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{ 50 comments }
Those couple of blocks have gotten so dodgey. You’ve got the weird crowd hanging out at Maya’s, the stream of visitors at the repair shop on the corner, etc.
I wonder if the city council has time to maybe start working on public safety or is there some rare tree frog in Seward park that needs saving first?
Wait, I forgot, aren’t they working on extending bar hours?
Yea, priorities.
I hope Seattle Police need to focus to illegal drugs,Car theft,buglary,gangs,and Danny Vega case!
Until this city takes a serious stand on crime, we will continue to see much more.
This city can’t take a stand on anything but forcing you out of your car and trying to find more “revenue enhancement projects” to suck more money out your wallet.
I forgot bag bans, later bar hours and upzoning neighborhoods (forget safety, we need density)
what, specifically, can the city do to make this area more safe?
I’m not being rhetorical– I’m asking. While an increased police presence is one obvious answer, I’d like to see more specific stats: RE: the cops’ presence in the south end vs. the rest of the city. Is the Southend SPD understaffed?
The other question is whether or not increased police presence alone is a good ongoing solution.
While the bag ban is silly, I don’t see what later bar hours or upzoning neighborhoods have to do with this. It’s not like the city is going to halt all development/policy decisions until crime is “solved.” Nor should they. It’s an ongoing problem that ebbs and flows and probably deserves more attention than it’s getting, but blaming any and all other decisions Seattle makes doesn’t really follow.
@Sefue- Yah, what is up with that scene at the Maya? Some evenings last summer it was like a full on block party in front, motorcycles lined up, people crowded around in the parking lot…
I used to get my hair cut on that block, at Exodus. The ladies there said there was always a super creepy crowd of dudes hanging out behind the building. No of us were surprised when the shop was burgled.
@graham
I’m not saying they should halt all development/policy decisions until crime is “solved.” my point is you NEVER hear about the City Council working on safety issues (I think there may be one in the works to “deputize” us all so we can “self police” our neighborhoods)
Comments 2 and 5 are right on the money.
And with the advent of cell phones, instant messaging, pcs… crimminal activity has become much more organized.
In the meantime the city is carefully marking out no parking zones in in Rainier Beach. Parking is not even on my list of worries. Another tax, when our concern is crime.
I have lived the Rainier Valley for pretty most of my life, ( I was born at Fort Lawton Army Base) moved back here in 1974 from North Carolina, ( raised in the Air Force, got moved alot) I moved back to Seattle back in 1974, graduated from Rainier Beach High School, I used to be able to walk around the neighborhood when I graduated from Rainier Beach High School. I have never been afraid to walk in this neighborhood until now!! I am so terrified to walk outside after dark and I work down here…
The major news sources have barely even mentioned this. I just looked to see what was out there and can not even find anything on the main pages of KING, KOMO and the Seattle Times. Only one reported that somebody had died. I find that really upsetting. It feels like we’re not even a part of the city. I agree with angeldove: I’ve lived here over 20 years and have never, until now, felt afraid to walk the neighborhood. With the economy tanking and wealth distribution becoming ridiculously out of whack it makes sense that it will only get worse, but it’s extremely troubling that we seem to have been written off completely.
Hey kathy thanks so much for answering my post. I live right on Rainier and Holden and it it getting so bad that when my husband goes out to catch the bus, that they are out there at 6 oclock in the morning and trying to give him grief! He won’t even take a lunch because he wants to have his hands free just in cause they give him a problem!
Sure, angeldove – you made a great point! We’re at Rainier and 57th, within easy walking distance from where this shooting took place. I’ve become somewhat obsessive about watching the crime reports, and have been dismayed to read that sometimes business owners along our little stretch of Rainier won’t even talk to the police when crimes have taken place in their establishments. It doesn’t give me any hope for the business district in Rainier Beach, which has so much potential but is so far away from achieving it. And if people are too afraid to even walk around it sure isn’t ever going to happen.
Look in to my eyes, you are getting sleepy, sleeeepy.
Now get out and
Walk
Bike
Ride
What’s even more “silly” than the plastic bag ban is when thousands of sea life are found dead with plastic bags in their intestinal tracts.
Whitney– I think in about six months anyone complaining about the plastic bag ban– including myself– will be completely used to it.
But I do think the general sentiment around here that the city needs to make Safety a priority, is pretty right on. Especially in RB and Othello, the latter of which seems to be being prepped in ads as Seattle’s next great jewel of diversity after Columbia City. Long-run, I’m completely on board with McGinn’s vision of city with up-to-date public transportation, but part of that has to be ensuring that folks can walk to and from the stations without much fear.
@whitney
I will be fine with the bag ban, my point is I’ve heard more about them working on the bag ban more in the last two years than I have heard about them working on safety issues.
How are you doing anyway?
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a supporter of city governments’ choices most of the time. The plastic bag ban was necessary. The state has more important things to do than work on same sex marriage legislation, but I still think gay marriage is necessary – speaking from a gay that wants to marry her wife.
@Mark B, I’m good. Back to work, and the kid is 6 months old and awesome. I just want the dizziness to go away…thanks for asking.
I just want more /constant police presence in identified hot spots. How hard can that be? I am also hopelessly curious about this shooting. If it was totally random I want to know that. I am not feeling very safe as it is, but it makes a difference for me to know if this was random or not? why do they think a drug deal was at the center of the shooting? Businesses will loose money becouse Im not the only one who sure wont be heading out for any late nite snacks.
I grew up and went to school around here and I know its not the best place but its not as bad as other places I have visited. So maybe if he was not trying to sell weed on Craigslist and stayed in his area “Edmonds” then maybe his girlfriend would still be living, so sad. He was 39 and a douch messing with a innocent 22yr girl. He should be charge and sued with her murder.
MarkB-please tell me what i’m going to with cat and bunny litter if they ban plastic bags!
That’s super scary about the shooting though. For real. Thank god, i rarely leave the house after dark, because i’m afraid of most everything anyways….
I grew up and went to school around here and I know its not the best place but its not as bad as other places I have visited. So maybe if he was not trying to sell weed on Craigslist and stayed in his area “Edmonds” then maybe his girlfriend would still be living, so sad. He was 39 and messing with a innocent 22yr girl. He should be charge and sued with her murder.
I’ve noticed on other websites the police apologized saying the girl hasn’t died, she had surgery on Tuesday night. Now I can’t tell what is even going on. If anyone sees any other news about this, comment, please!!
The girl did die, she is my cousin.
@Kari: I know I speak for many in our community when I say how sorry we are for your loss. I hope her killer is arrested soon. Our condolences to your entire family.
R.I.P Ashton…
Kari, I knew and adored your cousin, Ashton. Our nick name for her was “Bug-Cute” and I always loved seeing her around Juneau. I first met Ashton on the playground of HB Elementary School while I was playground attendant and we would have the best conversations. Years later she became my son’s girl friend and spent time with us out in Pelican. She remained a very good friend of our son’s through the years. Our hearts are broken and I can only imagine the heartache you and your family must be feeling. Unbelievable…. Prayers for Ashton’s family as you work through this terrible and senseless loss.
@musicanimal,
I can’t say much for your cat litter (get the flushable kind?), but for the bunny litter you can compost it in your garden, or someone at one of the pea patches would be happy to compost it in their patch. Rabbit stuff is hot, so don’t put it directly on plants. But if you give it a couple of months to break down, then use it to mulch plants, they’d be really thankful!
I’m going to set up a pet waste composting project to see if I can get rid of my ferret poop that way rather than throwing it out. Would take a big chunk out of what goes in my trash can.
@musicanimal
I would make a simulated granola bar and have them distributed throughout city hall, I bet the buuny pelets would look just like chocolate chips.
@baker I know him personally he is a scum, douche and every other word you can personally call him I feel bad for the girl and her family he was 39 years old prayed on young girls lives at home with his mommy has four kids and is not doing anything for them! jail many times for beating up both of his ex wifes. So look at his name yes pending charges right now ***** * **** her family should work hard and long to put his butt in jail and sue him. due to the fact that he had her drive him there to make it illegal transaction look on craigslist he’s all over there.
We will make sure Ashton receives justice. She was a beautiful person and deserved so much better. Thank you for the information.
Here are a couple of his ads, not abiding by the law just a drug dealer! http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/2782002641.html……. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/2787310269.html…….. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/2787285180.html
I am horrified to see that Add was posted only hours before the shooting. And more have been posted since after. How clearly he has not learned any lesson or have any regrets about the person he was with being killed or himself being shot. I hope that 225 bucks takes you far you jerk. Please god arrest him.
My prayers go out to the family of aston, i only knew her for a brief time in juneau as she was roomates with my now grandchilds mother. This incident is a senseless loss of a life cut way to short, by someone who has no sense of right or WRONG. r.i.p. aston.
@Marcellus well I’m pretty sure if I said that I know more than you think I do common sense growing up in that area also knowing him. so you should not judge a book by its cover because I don’t care if you were in there during his interview, when people are at fault for things they tend to lie we don’t live in a perfect world. By the way what does the hippa law cover?
I wish I knew what you knew elephant115. We are just trying to put the pieces together. It’s human nature to do so, yet at the same time, we do realize that the boyfriend is a liar. I suppose also, it is human nature to try to protect yourself, being a drug dealer and escaping death. I wish no ill will toward the shooter(murderer) or the boyfriend. No one has a right to judge them as they will be judged by their maker. Only at that point, will justice be served. I do wish to say, though, to the shooter(murderer) and to the boyfriend, with everything that I am, I wish for you both to seek help. Please don’t physically or mentally hurt another person. The pain is unbearable. It is apparent that if there had been any real kind of love in your hearts, you would not feel the need to be in such a lifestyle. Thus leading to the death of a wonderful, vibrant woman. I pray for you both.
Drug dealers advertise on Craig’s List? Rather brazen. One has to hope that the SPD’s drugs unit follows this sort of thing. Does Craig’s List
get a free pass to put up ads for criminal activity? Are they putting up
ads for child prostitution? for purchase of stolen goods? They perhaps belong in the Hall of Shame with the Seattle Weekly.
Marcellus – it doesn’t not help anything if the only witness to the crime will not tell the TRUTH! You, mom, are in some serious denial. Imagine when your granddaughter (in a few short years) turns 22, and some man 15 years older than her, with multiple arrests is hanging around, and “dating” her. Then imGine she gets murdered while with him. And he ran away to leave her dying on the ground, then he seems to have the toughest time telling the truth And helping bring the shooter to justice. Just imagine mom, grandma if that were to happen to the family you love.
Brooke, he has been caught in more than one lie concerning this tragedy. That is the truth, not slander. You weren’t there on that fateful night, so you have no idea what the honest truth is, only the word of a drug dealer.
also seems funny to me that one of the posts suggests that one of the victims should be sued and charged with the murder. why shouldn’t the murderer? also no matter what one may think of the surviving victim he did not deserve to be shot or have his girlfriend murdered.
another post suggested that they wished no ill will on the murderer, how unintelligent. funny, no ill will toward the human excrement that commits murder, but make sure that you sue the victim. pathetic
Unintelligence is “playing God” and judging. An eye for an eye does nothing. It doesn’t bring back the poor young woman and it would be an easy way out for the killer. Certainly the killer needs to be off of the streets, but he also needs to be able to face what he did. Jail is no place for him either…living off of hard working people, obtaining better health coverage, watching flat screen televisions and an option to earn a degree…. THAT is pathetic. Funny to me that you mention the surviving victim did not deserve to be shot yet you obviously feel that ill will should be wished upon the murderer….perhaps they are one in the same.
well, “want justice” i am slightly perplexed. executing a convicted murderer is not “playing” GOD, not sure why you say that or who you are repeating it from. one thing for sure when you execute a murderer, he will never have a chance to murder again. you also do not want to see these two murderers go to jail to receive a better life, but you want them off the streets, so what are we supposed to do? i agree with you about the judicial process and how it tends to coddle the criminal element. If you want to mention GOD doesn’t GOD say to execute a murderer?
So, what is in your eyes is JUSTICE and how do you WANT it served?
Why have the police not apprehended the shooter or as the second accomplice? If the surviving victim is cooperating and telling all they know then that must mean the police are ignoring that information completely? That doesn’t add up to me… Such a senseless crime with multiple victims. one young promising girl has been killed, a family destroyed, and another person injured…the shooter/criminal needs to be arrested and anyone with information leading to that should be forthcoming and help achieve that justice for all involved.
Clark, there is no easy answer for these types of situations. I think that may be the point…just wish that none of it happened in the first place. But so unfortunately things like this happen daily, and there is rarely an easy answer. Undeniably the murderer should not be on the street. But to think that in jail they will have a decent life (after taking anothers away) is very difficult to accept. Being an indirect victim of a violent crime, you come to have a sympathy for any death, and for me personally it is hard to wish any other person death and their loved ones pain, regardless of what they’ve done. Criminals should be arrested and their fate, be it life in prison or death penalty will be decided by the judicial system. As long as they are having to take ownership and responsibility for their actions and not be free to do as they please.
Sure, Clark Kenney, I smell it. What do you think is the way out of all that?
I agree with you, but you’re assuming that our community leaders – and leaders at all levels – are going to care enough to do the hard work required to make changes, much less agree with ME about what that will take. At the very least we should be making sure that we are using our vote to put people into those positions of leadership that are going to do the things we want them to do. I know it’s a lot more complicated than that, but (informed) voting is a start. I don’t know what our city leaders are doing, but it sure isn’t working to make changes for the better in the south end.
No arrests? C’mon SPD, you have a vehicle with prints, an eye witness, cell phone numbers. The message this sends to the thugs of the south end is you can get away with murder down here. This is Seattle, a small city in comparison, why haven’t these guys been caught?
Citizens of South Rainier, its up to us. If Maya is going to have thugs hanging out, boycott them! lets get these crappy, sham businesses like the 2 auto junk shops closed down! All that oil is leaking into the lake. Call the police for EVERY suspicious activity! Lets run these low lifes out of our neighborhood!
Another arrest…http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/02/seattle-police-arrest-suspect-in-jan-3-homicide/
One arrest made. Thank you
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