Gunfire erupted near a Seattle community center moments after a mayoral news conference, triggering a swift police response forcing officials to whisk the city’s mayor to a secure location, as law enforcement locked down the area.
Officers are now investigating the shooting near Yesler Community Center, where multiple shots were fired shortly after Mayor Katie Wilson had appeared.
It was not clear if the gunfire had any connection to the mayor or the press conference.
Authorities said a 911 call came in around 5:10pm reporting gunfire in the area, prompting an immediate response from the Seattle Police Department.
According to The Seattle Times, Wilson was quickly escorted away from the scene as the situation unfolded.
Police said the shots were fired from a sedan carrying three to four people.
The building was struck by gunfire, damaging part of the structure and hitting a glass door. No injuries have been reported.
Gunfire erupted near a Seattle community center moments after a mayoral news conference at which the city’s mayor Katie Wilson had been speaking (file photo)
Officers are now investigating the shooting near Yesler Community Center, pictured, where multiple shots were fired shortly after Mayor Katie Wilson had appeared
Wilson had been announcing a plan for free breakfast to be introduced to Seattle Public Schools together with expanded childcare.
Seattle police spokesperson Detective Brian Pritchard confirmed that several shots were fired and glass was smashed.
A spokesperson for the mayor later also confirmed the loud noises were gunshots, and that Wilson was still at the community center when gunfire broke out.
Mayor Wilson has a background in transit policy, having previously served as the Transit Riders Union General Secretary before running for mayor.
Mayor Wilson had been announcing a plan for free breakfast to be introduced to Seattle Public Schools together with expanded childcare (file photo)
Seattle elected Wilson as its first democratic socialist mayor in November, echoing the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s mayoral contest.
She ran on a campaign characterized by promises to increase affordability in the city.
Another core part of her platform is addressing Seattle’s homelessness crisis, which is one of the worst in the country.
