SWAT at the scene — Thanks to a reader for the pic

Picture from a locked down resident down the street from the Holiday building

Seattle Police and SWAT closed down the area around Broadway and John early Saturday evening as officers responded to reported gunfire in the area and were asking people to stay inside.

According to East Precinct radio updates, police were watching a possible suspect on an upper level of the E John Holiday Apartments building as officers locked down the area and closed off nearby streets.

UPDATE 8:35 PM: The situation has continued into its third hour with police spending much of the evening working to determine the location of the suspect. A man originally thought to be a possible suspect was finally contacted and determined to not be the person seen earlier firing a firearm from the building. The search shifted to a different floor and a man matching the suspect description. Just after 8 PM, police said via radio updates that the man had made contact but he was no longer answering his phone. The search has since transitioned into a standoff with police working to contact the man. Meanwhile, parts of the building near his unit have been cleared.

UPDATE 9:50 PM: The suspect was taken into custody without incident, surrendering after SWAT deployed gas into the unit. Seattle Fire was called to the scene to treat the man for exposure to oleoresin capsicum, the active ingredient in pepper spray. Earlier in the incident, loud explosions were reported as flash bang grenades were deployed to try to stir the suspect from the unit. Meanwhile, police found evidence from the shooting including at least one shell casing outside the building.

“Resident safety is our first and foremost priority,” a spokesperson for Community Roots Housing, the developer and property manager of the building said. “We are deeply grateful to the Holiday resident community for responding quickly to the situation, and we are working to provide support in the wake of this traumatic event.”

UPDATE 4/25/2022 10:15 AM: The 58-year-old suspect has been booked into King County Jail for investigation of malicious mischief. He has been a resident of the apartment building since at least 2008 according to state records. A search of King County and Seattle court records show no recent run-ins with the law and no criminal history for the suspect. SPD says two handguns were recovered from the man’s apartment.

Shots were reported just before 6 PM Saturday. UPDATE: SPD says a suspect reportedly fired shots from his balcony around 5:45 PM but there were no reported injuries.

Large crowds of standersby were reported as SPD was working to clear the area.

The scene on the southeast corner of 10th and John is near multiple apartment buildings and Capitol Hill Station.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

UPDATE: “Large police presence in the 1000 block of East John Street as officers attempt to contact a suspect who fired a gun from a balcony,” SPD reported around 6:45 PM. “No injuries reported at this time. Please stay out of the area if possible.”

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