Two men were injured in a shooting at Westfield Southcenter Mall at around Noon on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
We confirmed with an employee on site that there was a shooting, with around ten shots heard near an area on the east side of the mall between JC Penney and Seafood City. The mall was put into lockdown for several hours.
Officers from multiple jurisdictions responded, and helped clear the mall by around 4 p.m.
As of 4 p.m., the shooting suspect had not yet been found.
Harborview Medical Center’s said it treated two males who suffered gunshot wounds; one man, 32, was in satisfactory condition and will be discharged. The second man, 27, arrived shortly thereafter and is in serious condition.
“At this time, the incident appears to be an isolated incident between potentially known individuals,” Tukwila Police tweeted. “There is no indication that this incident was an active shooter. Multiple agencies are providing assistance to Tukwila officers and detectives.”
Washington State Patrol closed all freeway exits from I-5 and SR 405 to the mall.
Below are some photos courtesy Patti Gifford, who was by the command post where all the first responders were located (the first pic shows where her car was parked).
“I was fifteen minutes from going into Nordstrom or I would have been in lockdown,” she said. “The activity was closer to Penneys on the east side of the mall.”
Here’s a video courtesy KING5:
Here’s some raw video recorded live over the scene by KOMO:
Officers are on scene of a reported shooting in the Southcenter District. Please avoid the area. More info will be shared as it becomes available.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
Officers are clearing the mall. If you are sheltered in place in a store, please stay where you are until contacted by officers. Media stage in north lot across from Macy’s.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
We are still working our way through the mall with multiple teams. No new information to share at this time.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
Officers have located two victims at the scene with injuries. Officers from multiple jurisdictions are continuing to clear the mall. Please avoid the area.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
We are still working our way through the mall. We are unable to give an estimated time for completion of the clearing process at this time. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
At this time, the incident appears to be an isolated incident between potentially known individuals. There is no indication that this incident was an active shooter. Multiple agencies are providing assistance to Tukwila officers and detectives.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
We are still working our way through the mall and securing the crime scene. Suspect is not in custody.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
Multiple stores have been cleared and evacuated. Officers are continuing to move through the mall. If we haven’t gotten to you yet, we will shortly.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
Most of the mall has been cleared. We should be done shortly. Thank you everyone for your patience. We will be releasing a full statement related to the incident later this evening.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 1, 2021
Officers have finished clearing the mall and evacuating people from stores.
The mall will be closed for the remainder of the day. Store managers please meet mall management and security in the north mall lot near Buffalo Wild Wings.
Thank you everyone for your patience.
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) May 2, 2021
In reference to the @TukwilaPD event at Southcenter. @wastatepatrol trooper have closed all exits from I-5 and 405 to the southcenter. Avoid area.
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) May 1, 2021
Here are some of the initial responders to Southcenter. @kingcosoPIO @wastatepatrol along with SeaTac, Burien to assist @TukwilaPD. pic.twitter.com/HCUSHSdP66
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) May 1, 2021
An employee at #southcentermall states they are hiding behind locked doors and SWAT is on-scene. ?
— Jill (@BellaKarma) May 1, 2021
Just now #SouthcenterMall Tukwila #ActiveShooter pic.twitter.com/31bMLKMEZa
— ⭐Shoe?Siren⭐ (@ShoeSiren) May 1, 2021
My husband and son just had to escape an active shooter at #SouthcenterMall in #Tukwila WA. Praying for anyone who was injured.
— Mich (@michveezy) May 1, 2021
Chaotic scene at southcenter mall n Seattle . people just started running out saying they heard pops !! @CNN @KING5Seattle @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/6WVJ3nm48C
— Anthony Sanchez (@bankonsanchez) May 1, 2021
#BREAKING Police are responding to a reported shooting in the Southcenter District in Tukwila.
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) May 1, 2021