SEATTLE — An employee was shot and killed at a gas station across from the Seattle Center early Tuesday, but police said the suspect did not steal anything.
PHOTOS: Crime scene at gas station 76
Seattle Fire Department (SFD) medics were dispatched to a “violent scene” 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, October 13, 2026. (KOMO)
The SFD said the clerk, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Around 5:51 a.m., a 911 dispatcher received a call of a person here at station 76 who was deceased. They saw a man heavily dressed all in black, entered the store, purchased an item, then went behind the counter and shot 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, based on the video footage they have viewed so far, it does not appear there was a fight or a robbery.
“There was a window, sort of a glass barrier, but the door was open, so he went around and was able to get in and shoot the employee,” Pritchard said.
The suspect walked away a short time later, but police are unsure whether he went around the corner and got into a car.
Investigators do not yet know if the attack was random or targeted, saying it was unusual that the suspect had purchased something before the shooting.
“We want to get that person off the street, a person who comes in, buys an item and then shoots the seller, that can be pretty scary,” Pritchard said.
Police do not yet know how many times the clerk was shot or what type of weapon was used.
Acting Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles was observed at the scene of the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crime Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
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