A man was shot and killed near MLK and E Union Wednesday night in the Central District.

Police were sent to the area after multiple 911 callers reported gunfire just before 6:30 PM.

Seattle Fire was called to the scene to a report of a man down with a gunshot wound to the abdomen at the address of The Valley Apartments and multiple businesses including Joyce’s Market and The Postman “mail and business” shop.

SPD said the victim was transported to Harborview where he died.

911 callers reported a possible gunman fleeing the area on foot. SPD was searching the area but reported no immediate arrests. According to East Precinct radio updates, SPD received security video from a nearby residence showing the suspect and believes the person may have been involved in another recent area shooting.

SPD said it was trying to determine what led to Wednesday’s killing. Police recovered one firearm from the victim at the scene, according to East Precinct radio.

According to radio updates, Seattle Fire’s response was delayed by the initial dispatch to an address at MLK Way South near Judkins. Medics received an updated location of MLK Way near Union about five minutes later and soon arrived at the shooting scene at the business where the victim was reported to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was undergoing CPR — about 1.5 miles from the initial dispatch location. Police say Pickett died later at Harborview.

MLK and Union were closed to traffic during the response.

The full SPD brief on the incident is below:

Detectives are investigating after a man was shot and killed in the 1100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way Wednesday evening.

Witnesses began calling 911 shortly after 6:30 pm to report, shots fired near the intersection of E. Union St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Additional callers reported a man who had been shot and a possible gunman fleeing the area.

Police quickly arrived and began providing medical aid to the victim until Seattle fire department medics arrived on scene. Medics transported the man to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died.

UPDATE 10/20/2022 8:45 AM: Friends and family say that D’Vonne Pickett, Jr. was the man killed Wednesday night. In 2018, Pickett and wife KeAnna Pickett opened The Postman mailing services shop in the new construction at MLK at Union. The business was a source of neighborhood pride with the Picketts representing generations of family life in the Central District. “It’s bigger than us. It’s about everyone you see here,” D’Vonne Pickett told CHS at the ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new store.

Pickett, Jr. was 31.

SPD is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call their tip line at 206-233-5000.

Devastated this morning over the senseless murder of D'Vonne Pickett yesterday on MLK & Union. D'Vonne and his wife own The Postman, he was a father, businessman, little league coach, youth mentor, and my good friend. Video is from 2019 – on why they opened The Postman. pic.twitter.com/jmr6bi4BQi

— Omari Salisbury (@Omarisal) October 20, 2022

UPDATE 10/20/2022 2:05 PM: SPD says they have made an arrest in the case:

At 12:30 pm on Thursday, detectives, with the assistance of the SPD and King County SWAT teams, arrested a suspect in last night’s homicide investigation in the Central District. Detectives with both agencies believe the suspect is also linked to another homicide and multiple ongoing shooting investigations around the area.

Captain Eric Sano, commander of the East Precinct, said overnight that the killing did not appear to be a random shooting but has not elaborated further.

A candlelight vigil is being planned for Thursday night at the scene of the shooting.

UPDATE 10/21/2022 8:50 AM: Seattle man Ashton Lefall is being held in King County Jail for investigation of assault, robbery, unlawful gun possession, and murder after his arrest Thursday by SPD and SWAT. Police say the 31-year-old has been linked to another murder “and multiple ongoing shooting investigations” but he has not yet been charged. Lefall reportedly had been exhibiting increasingly unstable behavior in the neighborhood and had been involved in a recent run-in with Pickett.

Meanwhile, the corner of MLK and Union was filled with mourners Thursday night at a candlelight vigil to remember Pickett as a husband, father, football coach, and dedicated member of the Central District community.

A fundraiser has been set up to support the Pickett family. You can learn more and give here.

On October 19th, 2022 D’Vonne Pickett Jr was tragically murdered. A father, husband, son, brother, coach, friend, entrepreneur, D’Vonne was a beloved member of the central district community. He was a light to all those around him and will be greatly missed. As a life long central district resident, D’Vonne’s love and commitment to uplifting community can be seen in how he spent his time. From coaching the CD panther, collaborating on events to uplift Black community or supporting other small business D’Vonne’s walked the walk. D’Vonne embodied his entrepreneurial spirit through his many businesses including The Postman. To many in the community he was a big bro, a mentor, and took on the role of uplifting those around him. In addition to the many hats he wore out in the world, D’Vonne was a loving husband to Keana Pickett and father to three small children. He loved and was loved deeply by his family and will forever be missed. D’Vonne was tragically taken too soon; we will continue to honor the light he was and support his family. This gofundme will directly go to the family and assist with funeral cost and other cost accrued while they grieve. Please check back for updates on services to honor D’Vonne. This gofundme was made family friends and approved by the family.

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