Rainier Valley residents were witness to shots fired into a car on Rainier Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 4:09 p.m. A 911 call reported shots fired, and moments later the Seattle Police department's dispatch office began receiving multiple calls about a car crash in front of Jack in the Box at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Director Street.
According to police, two cars were idling next to each other at the intersection of 51st Avenue South and Rainier when a dispute broke out. Shots were fired into the passenger side of a late model Honda and struck the driver and the passenger inside before it drove off. The bullets missed a pit bull puppy asleep on the back seat.
However, two blocks north of the gunshot incident, the driver lost control and struck a light pole. Seattle Police Department's crime scene investigation team responded, took over the area to gather evidence and is currently aiding in an ongoing investigation.
Paramedics also rushed to the scene, where the driver was pronounced dead due to gunshot wounds to the torso.
The passenger was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. The 26-year-old Seattle man underwent surgery and was recovering in the hospital's intensive care unit as of press time.
According to the King County Medical Examiner's Office report, the driver is 26-year-old Jared Leroy Lee, and his death resulted from a gunshot wound to the back.
Animal Control took the pit bull puppy for safe keeping until his owner can be found.
According to Rich Pruitt, police spokesperson, "there is no known motive, or connection to gang fighting, nor is there any known connection to the Lake Washington Apartments."
The Lake Washington Apartments are located only one block east of this incident and have been experiencing increased gun violence, drug arrests and other criminal activity, according to police log reports.
The suspects in the Sept. 21 shooting were not caught and were last seen leaving the area heading southbound on Rainier Avenue South in a dark grey 1990s Cadillac 4-door with tinted windows.
The police are asking for the public's help in locating the suspects. Anyone with information should contact homicide at 684-5550.
Dawn Trybjorn may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.
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