Tuesday afternoon outside of QFC, there really was gunfire, there really were two shots fired and broken grocery store glass, and, even though he couldn’t be found, there really was a man who got shot.
Police say they believe Tuesday’s shooting at Broadway and Pike was an act of self-defense by a legally armed man. Here’s what the shooter told police:
Arriving officers cuffed the shooter during the initial investigation but eventually released him at the scene. He told police he didn’t know the man he said attacked him. Witnesses at Broadway and Pike that afternoon agreed that it appeared the shooter was the victim:
Two shell casings were recovered at the scene. But the man who was shot could not be found… until three and a half hours later:
Police say the man who was shot was not taken into custody but could face charges for the assault. They also report that he wasn’t pleased to find out the shooter wasn’t arrested:
Police tell CHS that the shooter’s actions — even as they played out on a crowded corner in the middle of Capitol Hill — appear to have been entirely legal.
See, we need all these guns to protect all these guns!
Any way to 86 both these jokers from Capitol Hill forever?
better yet, ban ALL men from Capitol Hill and watch the crime rate plummet.
I have mixed feelings. Good: it happened to work out for the victim, but it sounds like it easily might not have; nobody died. Bad: I am concerned that the victim’s early if not first resort was to go for his gun; if the lesson the victim learned from the incident was “I can just shoot anybody and get away with it”, it is scary he thinks that’s why he can (concealed) carry in the first place; while it may be legal and/or constitutional for him to carry, I don’t have to like it-and I definitely *don’t*!
I was wondering how much of the story was missing from this report. It certainly reads like the victim escalated the interaction.
The witness told the cop the guy said to the victim “I’m going to f you up” and then jumped on him. Wouldn’t you be scared for your life if a stranger did that to you, especially on that corner? I would be. I’m not even pro gun, at all, but I think the victim was justified in shooting this guy.
if you read the report above, it says the victim was on his phone and the suspect bumped into him. the victim stated that he didn’t want any problems, informed the suspect he had a gun and to not come near him. he then tried to walk away.
how is that escalating the problem? the gun didn’t come out until the suspect attempted to tackle the victim.
and it was the suspect that said, “i can just shoot anybody and get away with it.” yes, you don’t have to like it but at least get the facts straight.
People with guns just escalate problems to the point of needing to fire them. I have lived here my entire life, and have never felt even the slightest need to protect myself so violently. Do gun nuts just not have the same “avoid the problem” radar that most of us have? Both people in that story are bad humans…if you fire a gun at somebody you should have to prove there were no other options.
You’re lucky you’ve never had to deal with random violence in your life. The same can’t be said for a lot of people.
I agree with Matthew. I’m not pro-gun but I do know that innocent people are often the victim of violent crimes. In some cases these victims own guns and are able to defend themselves. This happens. It doesn’t mean there isn’t also an ungodly number of shooting deaths in this country that are real problem.
Bad humans are people that see life in black and white terms and are not able to grasp the complexity of a situation and exhibit a complete lack of empathy.
It is our right to defend ourselves when assulated. The legally armed man attempted to avoid the attack, but the antagonist insisted on trying to inflict harm. Self defense law states that you have the right to defend yourself and others in such a situation. What if the antagonist had a knife and was high on drugs? He was a danger to everyone around him. The legally armed man did the right thing by protecting himself and others.
What if the legally armed man was high on drugs? Was he tested?
Isn’t speculation fun?
While that may be true, this happened in a busy, urban area where there are lots of bystanders. Escalating an argument to the point of gunshots in such an environment is irresponsible.
Fuck guns and the assholes that carry and use them for anything but hunting. It sounds like both of these guys should have a day in court.
Yeah, the NRA are assholes and the constitution is outdated bullshit. We need to implement a ban on concealed weapons just like Chicago. It’s the only way bad guys will voluntarily give up their guns and we can all live in peace and harmony.
The asshole is the guy that goes up to a random person and wants to knock them out.
“…the shooter’s actions … appear to have been entirely legal.”
But I’m sure the police confiscated his handgun anyway.
If you have any issue with the shooter in this instance you are a nut job. Guy on the phone is under no obligation to fight off a random attacker bare handed. Hopefully the guy who got shot gets his shit together and stops attacking people on the street.
Furthermore, fighting someone on the street is far more dangerous than people think. One wrong fall on your head and
1. You are dead.
Or
2. Traumatic Brain Injury, possible life long effects. Lose of memory, mood swing, hormone imbalances.
You don’t always come back to normal, so if the victim wanted no part of any altercation and stated he was armed, it’s 100% on the aggressor for pressing a fight. Not happy with the result? He could have called the police