A quiet Tuesday afternoon in Seattle erupted into chaos when a man brandishing a handgun stalked down a busy street corner, triggering a rapid police response and a fatal confrontation caught on camera.
According to the New York Post, around 1:30 p.m., emergency lines lit up with calls reporting a man walking along Othello Street, pointing a gun at people passing by.
Witnesses described a scene that grew increasingly alarming as the armed man continued down the hill.
“Hey, you guys better send somebody quick,” one caller warned. “There’s a dude walking up the hill on Othello… He got a gun. He’s got a gun in his hand and he’s just pointing it at everybody that drives by.”
When officers arrived, bodycam footage shows the unidentified man still holding the weapon, moving toward them despite repeated commands.
“Drop it, drop it!” one officer shouted. “Drop the gun!”
The man ignored the orders and continued advancing. Moments later, both officers opened fire, discharging more than two dozen shots.
The gunman collapsed but briefly rose again, waving the pistol before being hit by additional rounds. This time he remained motionless.
“SPD rendered medical aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene,” police said in a statement.
The shooting will now undergo an external review by the King County Sheriff’s Office, as required by Seattle Police Department policy.
Police Chief Shon Barnes acknowledged the gravity of such encounters, noting the split-second decisions officers face.
“Compliance is always best, de-escalation is always best,” Barnes said. “Sometimes you don’t have the benefit of time when someone is carrying a firearm, and they’re walking towards you, or they’re walking towards innocent people.”
Officials have not yet disclosed whether the two officers involved will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
For residents who witnessed the confrontation, the incident served as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine afternoon can shift into a life-or-death moment.
