SEATTLE, WA – A terrifying incident unfolded outside a daycare center in Seattle’s Central District, where dozens of children had to crawl to safety as gunfire erupted. Fortunately, none of the children were injured, but a 47-year-old man outside the facility was shot near the intersection of 23rd and Jackson.
Medics rushed the injured man to the hospital in serious condition. The A 4 Apple Learning Center, which had approximately 24 children inside at the time of the incident, managed to keep the kids safe during the chaos. Co-owner Deborah Coleman expressed her frustration, saying, “We’re just here to do our job and do good quality care for our families, and then this is what we have to deal with.”
The preschool had previously prepared the children for emergencies like shootings, and this preparation paid off when a bullet pierced through a learning center window. Thankfully, everyone inside remained unharmed. Co-owner Appollonia Washington recalled the terrifying moment, saying, “I just immediately said, ‘You guys, Army crawl! Teachers, Army crawl! I think we’ve been shot.'”
While parents rushed to pick up their shaken children, investigators marked off bullet casings on 23rd near Jackson. The shooter’s motive remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether the day care center was an intended target.
Expressing their concerns, the co-owners stated that they feel they lack adequate support from the city they serve. Washington pleaded for increased security, saying, “Can we get patrols? Can we get officers walking by?”
In response to the incident, the Seattle Police Department has promised additional patrols in the area, including police and community service officers. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office also released a statement addressing the shooting and the city’s efforts to combat gun violence.