On Wednesday afternoon, a man opened fire on Seattle street in what authorities call a “random” attack, killing two male drivers and shooting two others before being apprehended by the Police.
The gunman first shot at a female driver before walking into the street and firing shots at a southbound Metro bus. He wounded the driver who turned out to be a hero in saving the 12 other passengers in his bus, leaving no one hurt.
Immediately the Metro bus driver was shot, he turned the bus around, away from the gunman, and to a safe place before sounding the alarm that he needed help.
King County Executive Dow Constantine said in an interview that they are “grieving for the dead and supporting the injured.” Constantine also identified the bus driver as 53-year-old Eric Stark, calling him a hero for keeping his calm and driving the bus to a safe place.
According to Kenneth Price, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, Stark was able to walk to a gurney with that injury and is currently receiving medical care.
The gunman went on to hijack a red Prius to flee the scene. He shot at the 50-year-old driver of the Prius, leaving the driver dead, and then taking off not foreseeing an unintended incident.
Near Standpoint Way Northeast, he crashed into another vehicle with the Prius shortly after, killing the other driver, a 70-year-old man. He has been apprehended and is currently under police custody.
The motive behind the gunman’s act remains unknown as the investigation is still ongoing. But he left the Police infuriated, with the Deputy Police Chief Marc Garth Green telling the reporters: “We believe it’s a random, senseless act. We’re outraged at what the suspect did”, the Seattle Times reported.
The suspect was identified by the Seattle Fire Department Spokesperson as 33 years old, and is currently under police custody, in a hospital, having sustained just minor injuries.