Manhunt for gunman after five shot in Seattle
Suspect opens fire on group of people outside convenience store after an argument
Authorities in Seattle were searching for a gunman Thursday who opened fire on a group of people outside a convenience store after an argument, wounding five people.
Four men and a woman were hurt outside a 7-Eleven near a busy bus stop, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Robert Merner said.
"There was some type of argument that took place, a suspect walked away and then fired into crowd striking those individuals," Merner said.
Two men were in serious condition in intensive care Thursday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle but their conditions had been upgraded from critical, said spokeswoman Susan Gregg. A woman and a man were in satisfactory condition at the hospital and a man was released.
The five people who were shot range in age from 20s to 50s and sustained injuries to their legs, chest and neck, Gregg said.
Authorities were searching for and trying to identify the gunman who ran from the scene, Merner said. Streets in the area were closed while police investigated and interviewed witnesses.
Merner said officers didn't believe the incident was related to anti-Trump protests happening near the area at the time.
"As far as we know, it seems to be a personal argument," he said.
Members of the police's gang unit and homicide unit were assisting in the investigation, according to Q13 Fox.
The manager of the 7-Eleven, Sharon Keith, told reporters she heard what sounded like firecrackers and told everyone to get down while she went to lock the door.
She said she could see multiple people on the ground outside afterward.
"How do you describe that, there were multiple people down, a lot of blood," she said, her voice breaking.
Police were also investigating an exchange of gunfire earlier in the day in Seattle that wounded two men.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said in a statement Wednesday night that he was thankful all the victims were alive and receiving treatment.
"Seattle Police do not currently believe the shootings are linked, nor do they believe there is any tie to tonight's march," Murray said. "However, gun violence remains an epidemic in our country that we must work to address in any way we can. Today's shootings are a reminder of how much work we have left to do."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
