Teenager shot, killed at popular park in South Seattle



SEATTLE -- Police are looking for the person responsible for killing a teenager who dreamed of becoming a Marine.

Officers responded to a call for shots fired at Seattle's Martha Washington Park around 1:20 a.m. Saturday. Witnesses told dispatchers that 17-year-old Ryan Dela Cruz had been shot several times.

Officials said the victim was with three other young men at the park when a car pulled up and someone started shooting:

"Officers converged on the park and found the teen in a wooded area suffering from three gunshot wounds," Det. Patrick Michaud wrote in a police blotter post.

Dela Cruz was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he later died.

Martha Washington Park is known for reported ghost sightings. Henry Tacazon says his son and his friends had a lot of fun in the park hunting for ghosts.

Detectives are interviewing witnesses. No suspect description has been released.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide/Assault tip line at 206-233-5000.

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIP(8477), or use the P3 Tips App on your smart phone to submit your information.