KING COUNTY, Wash. — A man is dead after a shooting in the Skyway area of unincorporated King County on Monday morning.
Deputies were called to 80th Avenue South and South 125th Street, close to Dimmitt Middle School, shortly after 3 a.m.
Emergency dispatchers received a 911 call about an interrupted car prowl or burglary, according to Tim Meyer with the King County Sheriff’s Office.
“We know a life was lost and our thoughts of course are with loved ones and the community who are touched by this, and now it’s detectives, it’s in their hands as they try to determine any persons responsible and get them into custody and that’s where we stand now,” Meyer said.
When deputies arrived, they found a man who had been shot. He was declared dead at the scene.
Meyer said the medical examiner will officially identify the victim, but said, “we do believe a resident of that home is deceased.”
Family and friends of the victim told KIRO 7 that he was trying to stop a car prowler.
“It’s tragic when this sort of thing happens, especially right next to a school,” said neighbor Barrett Reidinger.
Dimmitt Middle School operated as normal, according to a Renton School District spokesperson.
Detectives at the scene were focusing on a white Acura that had a yellow tarp covering the passenger’s side of the car.
A neighbor said they heard a gunshot and saw someone running south toward South 125th Street.
“The only thing going through my head is, ‘could it have been us? Why did they choose that house?’” said Reidinger.
Other neighbors KIRO 7 spoke with were too distraught to talk on camera but said they were at a loss for words over the death of someone they knew to be kind, friendly and helpful.
“He sometimes would like give things away, people would gather them up, things he didn’t need or want,” said neighbor Christina Nguyen.
Police closed 80th Avenue South between 124th and 125th streets during the investigation.
Meyer said it is not known if there is more than one suspect in the shooting, but no arrests have been made.
“I believe we have the best investigators out here in the region. They’re going to be able to tell that story and again bring the closure that the community is looking for,” Meyer said.