Gunfire erupts by Seattle Mayor's speech

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) - Gunshots were fired at a Seattle Community Center on Tuesday evening, right next to a park where Mayor Katie Wilson had just announced a new, expanded all-day daycare and taxpayer-funded school lunch program.

Multiple gunshots created a hole in a front door at the Yesler Terrace Community Center, according to Seattle Police.

It was not clear immediately whether the gunshots were aimed at the mayor or others attending the event, or whether it was just a random coincidence. 

A police statement Tuesday night said that authorities had received a report of multiple people shooting near the Yessler Terrace Community Center. 

"The shooting damaged the building, but no injuries were reported at the time of the shooting," the statement read. "The mayor was attending an event with multiple children and adults. Witnesses stated that the suspects left the area in an unidentified vehicle. "

Police listed the incident time as 5:30 p.m., shortly after Wilson concluded her remarks at Yesler Terrace Park and entered the community center to mingle with guests at a reception.

Suddenly, a security detail whisked Wilson away from the reception.

Dwane Chappelle, the director of the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, then told the approximately 60 people gathered for the reception that they were not allowed to leave the building due to a police action, without elaborating on what had happened. 

Wilson's name was not mentioned, and guests munched on a buffet.

Guests stuck inside the building included Seattle City Councilwoman Martiza Rivera, Seattle Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner and parents and children who had attended Wilson's speech.

A reporter from The Center Square left the event at 6 p.m. and was not prevented from leaving. At least six patrol cars were seen on all sides of the building. 

Wilson issued her own statement several hours after the incident.

"Shortly following my announcement of new investments in Seattle's children and families today, we heard gunfire," she said. "No one was injured, but it was a stark reminder of a reality too many people in this city live with every day."

Wilson said Seattle residents cannot let the gunfire become "normal."

"And in the weeks ahead, I'll share more about our comprehensive strategy to address gun violence and public safety," she said.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said in the police department statement that detectives from the Gun Violence Reduction Unit are collecting evidence and talking to witnesses of the shooting.

"Our neighbors have the right to gather, speak, and celebrate without fear of violence," said  Barnes. "Addressing gun violence requires us to take a whole-of-Seattle approach that includes the criminal justice system. We must work together to do more to protect each other." 

The Yesler Way area is considered one of the highest crime areas in Seattle. It is also one of the city's most racially and economically diverse.

It is home to a large segment of the city's East African population as well as young professionals who live in high-rise market rental buildings. 

The site of the gunfire is 1.2 miles away from Garfield High School in Central Seattle. Wilson, on March 19, put on hold an expansion of a security camera program aimed at reducing crime by the school and two other areas of Seattle.

 Wilson cited a lack of definitive evidence that the cameras deter crime, alongside concerns about privacy and how surveillance could be used to target vulnerable communities.

The initial program was launched in 2025 under the administration of former Mayor Bruce Harrrell.

At Seattle City Council meetings, members of the Central Seattle area near Garfield High School have called for the cameras, citing frequent gun violence. 

But members supporting immigrant communities have urged the mayor to keep the cameras from being installed, stating they could be used by federal immigration officials.

Wilson has hired a New York University law school policing center to study privacy issues surrounding the cameras and their effectiveness.