Licensed gun owner shoots would-be thieves trying to carjack him in Belltown

SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating an attempted armed carjacking in the Belltown-Queen Anne area that resulted in a legally armed victim shooting two suspects early Sunday morning.

The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. on the 2200 block of 1st Avenue.

Officers responding to the scene found one suspect suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect was detained and received medical aid from firefighters before being taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition, where he remains under armed guard.

The victim, whom police called a “licensed gun owner,” was also detained for questioning.

According to police, the victim had parked his sports car along 1st Avenue when a white sedan with four masked occupants approached. After a brief exchange, two men armed with guns attempted to steal the sports car.

Fearing for his safety, the victim fired multiple rounds, hitting one of the suspects.

The other suspects fled in the sedan before police arrived. Later, the white sedan dropped off a second suspect at Harborview Medical Center, also suffering from a gunshot wound. This suspect is in serious condition and under armed guard as well, the SPD says.

The vehicle and its remaining occupants left the hospital before police could arrive.

Officers and robbery detectives processed the scene, collected evidence, and interviewed witnesses. The victim was taken to Seattle Police Headquarters for further questioning by detectives before being released.

The investigation remains open and active, with the Robbery Unit leading the case.