SEATTLE — A gas station clerk shot to death across from Seattle Center early Tuesday was identified by his family as 36-year-old Graeme Dobbeck, the 76 station’s manager for more than two years.
Police said the gunman bought a drink before shooting Dobbeck and left without taking anything.
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Dobbeck’s family said he considered the station “his space” and was beloved by staff. He worked seven days a week, sometimes brought lunch to co-workers who couldn’t leave the building, and looked out for customers bothered by people at the pumps.
“That’s just the way he was. You can’t talk to him without thinking. He’s very interesting. He’s kind of quirky, and he has a heart of gold. And that’s my son,” Ben, Dobbeck’s father, said, “It was his space. You know he had days off. He went in every day. On Saturdays he’d bring the staff lunch.”
Dobbeck’s stepmother, Pam, said, “He was just this kindness and love that was always there.”
They described him as kind and funny, and said they were baffled by his killing.
Ben said he is desperate for answers as investigators have not said whether the shooting was random or targeted.
“Why target that person, right?” he said.
Seattle Fire Department medics were dispatched to the 76 station at Denny Way and Broad Street at 5:52 a.m. for a “scene of violence” call. Dobbeck 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 who was heavy-set in all black, came into the store, purchased an item, then went behind the counter and fired on the clerk,” Seattle police Officer Brian Pritchard said.
A glass barrier separated the counter from the store, but a door was open, Pritchard said. Police said video investigators reviewed showed no signs of a fight or robbery. They do not know whether the shooting was random or targeted, how many times Dobbeck was shot or what kind of gun was used. No suspects are in custody.
The suspect walked away shortly after the shooting, according to police. Investigators are unsure whether he went around the corner and got into a car.
“We want to get this person off the street,” Pritchard said. “A person coming in, buying an item, and then firing at the clerk, that can be pretty scary.”
The shooting happened near Seattle Center, 11 weeks and two days after the deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival.
The family said recent shootings in Seattle, including at the Bite of Seattle food festival where 3 people died and four others were injured, had been on their minds. Ben said his son had expressed concern about the area.
“He just had this edgy feeling about the area, and he just felt like he really needed to be extra safe,” Ben said.
Asked whether Dobbeck was worried someone might shoot him, Ben responded, “No, nothing like that.”
Some residents said they were concerned about safety in the area.
“We want to see the city to be a safer place where families can come and go as they want,” said Varun Chadha, who lives in Belltown.
Breinn Bertrand, who lives a few blocks from the shooting, told KOMO News he would welcome more action from city leaders.
“Absolutely. I don’t really know what the solution would be, but I’m open to any and all options,” Bertrand said. “We’re definitely considering moving, if that says anything.”
Asked about residents’ safety concerns, Mayor Katie Wilson said public safety is a high priority for her administration. Her proposed budget includes funding to hire 66 officers in 2027. Wilson said she wants the results of an audit before deciding whether to expand the city’s surveillance camera system.
A co-worker of Dobbeck’s, who was too shaken to appear on camera, told KOMO News he was her manager and described him as “a great boss” who was understanding and quick-witted. She said he took over for her around 5 a.m., about 50 minutes before he was shot.
“My boss was killed an hour after I left,” she said. “I don’t understand who would have wanted to do this to him.”
The co-worker said she would have locked the door behind the counter. Asked why it might have been unlocked, she said, “Because I am a little more paranoid than he is, I guess.”
Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles was at the scene. Detectives and a crime scene investigation unit were still working at the station late Tuesday afternoon. A department spokesperson said the SPD Video Unit was reviewing footage with homicide detectives; police had not released additional information about a suspect.
Police are asking anyone with information or video from Denny Way and Broad Street between 5 and 6 a.m. Tuesday to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.