Innocent bystander wounded when gunmen in passing cars fire on each other

SEATTLE -- An innocent bystander on Monday was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting, police said.

The man, who was sitting in a vehicle at the time of the shooting, was injured when gunmen in two separate cars began exchanging fire with each other. The victim was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury, police said.

A search for the gunmen and their cars was still underway Monday night.



It happened on 51st Avenue South near South Creston Street, scaring those you live nearby.

“I heard gunshots firing, I got scared, and I stayed in my room alone,” said a teen who lives nearby.

Seattle police rushed to the scene, and investigators say they found one man in his 30s shot. They say a bullet grazed his head.

“The male victim doesn’t appear to be an intended target,” said Sgt. Sean Whitcomb with Seattle Police.

During a press conference with Seattle Police, Suprina Ford, who lives right down the street, began asking her own questions of police. She feels they aren’t doing enough.

“There’s a lot of violence that goes on over here, but when it comes to the gang-related affiliation of things, they wait until it gets bad before they decide to do anything,” said Ford.

Ford and others in South Seattle say they’re concerned the violence is growing, so they say they’re making noise so something can be done.

“I’m not going to live in fear; I will fight for my community; I will fight for my rights, and I’m very loud about it, and I don’t have a problem hollering hey guys, help,” said Ford.

Police also reported a shooting at Rainier Ave. and South McClellan Street about half an hour after the first shooting. No one was hurt and they don’t know if it is connected to the shooting on 51st Ave.