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UPDATE: Suspect shot by SPD dies after he shot Metro operator downtown on First Hill-Central District bus line

UPDATE: The man who allegedly shot a Metro bus driver Monday morning has died from  injuries he sustained when he was shot by Seattle police, according to SPD. The suspect shot the bus driver multiple times in the face and body this morning on 3rd Ave. near Benaroya Hall. After shooting the bus operator, the suspect reportedly boarded another bus at 2nd and Seneca, where Seattle police officers shot the man through the bus windshield. He died several hours later at Harborview Medical Center.

The bus driver is in stable condition at Harborview. After visiting the hospital, King County Executive Dow Constantine told the Seattle Times that the 64-year-old operator is “remarkably upbeat.” No passengers were seriously injured in either shooting.

UPDATE: Harborview confirmed that the injured driver is Deloy Dupuis, reported the Seattle Times. Dupuis has worked for Metro since 1999 and has a clean record, according to Constantine.

KIRO 7 reported witnesses saw three men board the No. 27 bus without paying the fare around 8:50 AM. When the driver asked them to pay, the suspect, who was not one of the three, yelled “war” and started firing. The No. 27 bus line connects First Hill and the Central District with downtown.

The suspect then rushed into a No. 120 bus. That’s when police opened fire, hitting the suspect and putting several bullet holes through the bus windshield. Police have not yet identified the suspect, but the Seattle Times reports the man is 31-year-old Martin Duckworth.

UPDATE: Constantine joined Mayor Mike McGinn and acting SPD Chief Jim Pugel at a 2 PM press conference today to discuss the incident. Pugel said SPD officers shot the suspect when he raised his gun while inside the No. 120 bus. Officers fired again when the suspect appeared to raise his gun a second time. According to Pugel, officers were on the scene within minutes, and the incident was over seven minutes after police were called. Pugel said SPD would review security camera footage from both buses, as well as cell phone videos taken by witnesses. Constantine said that during his hospital visit the driver immediately asked if any passengers were injured in the shooting. The King County executive said he would not release the name of the driver until the driver’s family members were notified first.

“There are a lot of people out there with guns who shouldn’t have them,” Constantine said. He later added “I hope the next time you board a bus you will thank a Metro driver.”

At an earlier news briefing, Seattle police Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh acknowledged the danger that the officers posed by opening fire on a still-boarded bus, but said they made the right call.

“The officers are trained to make life and death decisions,” McDonagh said. “This was very dynamic situation, dangerous and dynamic.”

Southbound 3rd and 2nd avenues are closed between Pine and Seneca streets. Nearby businesses were also closed. Metro says expect delays on downtown routes as the police investigation continues.

Constantine, Mayor Mike McGinn, and acting police chief Jim Pugel are slated to hold a press conference today at 2 p.m. to talk about the shooting.

 

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joanna
10 years ago

This is very sad, I would more describe the 27 as serving Leschi, E. Yesler and Yesler Terrace, Bailey Gatzert, (perhaps Pioneer Square) to downtown. Some may use it in some way for First Hill locations, but that is not a primary destination for the 27. First Hill and downtown are served by 3, 4, and 2, along with the 12.

BB
BB
10 years ago

Glad to hear the bus driver will be OK. The other guy deserved what he got.

Fritz
Fritz
10 years ago

From what’s come out so far, sounds like a righteous shoot. This is an instance where the community can thank the SPD for a tough job when it involves running TOWARDS the gunfire. Hope the driver fully recovers!

Concerned Citizen
Concerned Citizen
10 years ago

I’m so glad that he’s alright. Dupuis is from good Cajun stock and those guys are bulletproof. This is going to affect his family a bit so please send any donations to King County Metro. I’m going to cut him a check tomorrow morning, I suggest you do the same he is a really good guy. Make them payable to D. Dupuis. He is supposed to be doing the South Park route, what is the major malfunction? He’s a veteran driver but he might not be as familiar with that route.

Concerned Citizen
Concerned Citizen
10 years ago

i don’t mean to be flippant being shot twice is not alright but I was just overjoyed that it wasn’t worse. He is a really nice even-tempered gentlemanly man, and one of metros best drivers. This is on the level of a freak accident. I’m glad that that maniac didn’t do anymore harm.

calhoun
10 years ago

Excellent job by the SPD. Please remember this, SPD haters, the next time you want to rant that they are the “worst police department in the country,” or other such knee-jerk criticisms.

Kelly
Kelly
10 years ago

Sounds like another case of a mentally disturbed person with a gun. A quick search shows the assailant involved in a similar event (as a victim) less than 6 months ago:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/man-covered-blood-found-shot-face-pioneer-square/nWyzZ/

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[…] announcement came three days after Martin Anwar Duckworth shot a bus driver in the face while exiting a downtown bus. The announcement also came on the same day that the Seattle Times […]