Two-car shootout sends bullets flying along MLK and Cherry

A shootout involving two vehicles and reports of around 30 shots fired sent a bullet through a school window and left students at area schools sheltering in place Tuesday morning along MLK Way and E Cherry.

Police were called to the area near Powell Barnett Park around 11:45 AM to a report of 20 or so gunshots coming from two vehicles. The crime scenes quickly multiplied as reports came in of bullets striking an E Cherry market and the nearby NOVA High School where bullet fragments broke a window, according to East Precinct radio dispatches.

According to the SPD brief on the incident, there were no injuries reported:

Witnesses began calling 911 just after 11 a.m. to report gunfire near Powell Barnett Park.  When officers arrived they spoke with the witnesses who said the occupants of two vehicles, possibly two grey sedans, were firing shots at each other. They said the cars continued to travel through the area, eventually going westbound on East Cherry Street. The witnesses said both cars sped away before police arrived. Officers found property damage to a nearby high school. No one was injured and there is no indication any students were involved in the incident.

Three public schools — NOVA, Garfield High, and Leschi Elementary — were ordered to shelter in place during the incident, according to radio dispatches.

According to the latest SPD statistics, reported gunfire incidents are up slightly in 2017 with incident concentrated toward South Seattle.

SPD said they are continuing to investigate Tuesday's shootout. If you have information that could help, call the SPD non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011.

Wednesday, meanwhile, the national Coffee with a Cop Day brings East Precinct representatives to the 23rd and Jackson Starbucks.

Source: Two-car shootout sends bullets flying along MLK and Cherry