SEATTLE — A clerk was shot to death inside a gas station minimart across from Seattle Center early Tuesday, but police said the suspect didn’t steal anything.
PHOTOS: Crime scene at 76 gas station
Seattle Fire Department (SFD) medics were dispatched to a “scenes of violence” call at Denny and Broad at 5:52 a.m. Tuesday.
The location, a 76 gas station, is at a busy intersection near the Space Needle.
Seattle police officers outside the scene on Oct. 13, 2026. (KOMO)
SFD said the clerk, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“At about 5:51 a.m., a 911 dispatcher received a call of a person here at the 76 station that was deceased. They did see a male that was heavy-set in all black, came into the store, purchased an item, then went behind the counter and fired on the clerk,” said Seattle police Officer Brian Pritchard.
No suspects are in custody.
Pritchard said the shooter didn’t steal anything before leaving.
Police said the suspect bought a drink, and according to the video footage they’ve reviewed so far, it does not look like there was a fight or robbery.
“There was a glass, kind of a glass barrier, but the door was open so he came around and was able to go in and shoot the clerk,” said Pritchard.
The suspect walked away shortly after, though police are unsure if he walked around the corner and got into a car.
Investigators don’t yet know if the attack was random or targeted, saying it was unusual that the suspect bought something before the shooting.
“We want to get this person off the street, a person coming in, buying an item, and then firing at the clerk, that can be pretty scary,” said Pritchard.
Police don’t yet know how many times the clerk was shot or what kind of gun was used.
Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles was observed at the shooting scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.