Double homicide in south Seattle not gang-related, police say

SEATTLE -- Matalepuna Malu, accused of killing two men in south Seattle Sunday, was ordered held on $1 million bail Monday. He is to appear in court Thursday.

 

Also, on Tuesday, the Seattle Police Department said it "has become clear that this violence was not gang-related. Neither of the victims had a criminal history and neither man is suspected of any wrongdoing.  Investigators continue to follow leads and gather more information in this case, and ask that anyone with information please call (206) 233-5000.

Police say it was working with people in the neighborhood that helped get Malu into custody.  They’re hopeful that kind of community trust will continue to grow.

“We heard like 2 or 3 gunshots, then a loud wail, then bang, bang, bang, bang,” says Evan Simcox, who lives in an apartment building near South King Street and 29 Avenue South. “We went down there and there was just two kids lying on the street down there.”

The gunman was already gone, by the time officers arrived. But thanks to the help of witnesses, police identified him as 26-year-old Malu.

“The police department went around and talked to the neighbors immediately afterwards,” says Mayor Ed Murray. “They have been in touch with the community throughout the day, the churches. It's been a very good working relationship as we've tried to work through this.”

This afternoon, police say Malu showed up at police headquarters downtown.

“He was standing outside, I assume preparing to turn himself in,” says Assistant Chief Nick Metz. “I recognized him from the bulletin, asked him his name, he confirmed who he was. We took him into custody without any incident.”

Police would not say whether this shooting was related to any of the other recent crimes in the area.

“It’s really too early to tell right now. Obviously, there's been a lot that's been going on. We're going to be looking at every case, going back and reviewing the facts.”