SEATTLE, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Police said five people were injured after being shot outside of a convenience store in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, and were still searching for the suspect 24 hours later.
Robert Merner, Seattle police assistant chief, said the incident occurred Wednesday evening outside of a 7-Eleven near a major bus stop. Witnesses told officials some people were arguing when a man began to walk away before he turned and shot toward a crowd, of which one of the victims likely was a bystander, Merner said.
Two male victims were listed in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center's intensive care unit, The Seattle Times reported. A male and female victim improved from serious to satisfactory condition after receiving treatment and another male was sent home Thursday after being treated.
"Detectives are on scene and have closed several streets in the area as police collect evidence and search for witnesses," the Seattle Police Department said in a statement. "Police are still gathering information about the suspect, who is believed to be an adult male."
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The gang and homicide units of the Seattle police will investigate the incident, which occurred near an anti-Donald Trump protest. Merner said the shooting was not related to the protest.
"It's not related to the protest at all," Merner said. "It appears to be some type of personal argument."
The downtown Seattle shooting was preceded by a separate shooting in the New Holly neighborhood in which two men were injured.
"Today, two shootings occurred in Seattle, including one with five victims downtown. Thankfully, all of the victims are alive and receiving treatment. Seattle Police do not currently believe the shootings are linked, nor do they believe there is any tie to tonight's march," Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said in a statement on Wednesday. "However, gun violence remains an epidemic in our country that we must work to address in any way we can. Today's shootings are a reminder of how much work we have left to do. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims tonight."
Jesse Baker, who said his 26-year-old son was a victim receiving treatment at Harborview Medical Center, called on the public to help police investigate.
"If there's anybody that does know anything I would appreciate you coming forward and helping the police out in solving this," Baker told KING-TV. "Because it wasn't just my son, it was a couple other innocent people. And just as random -- this shooting stuff has just gone too far, it really has."
