Four men and one woman were shot near a Seattle hookah lounge, according to FOX 13.
Seattle police responded to calls about a shooting in the 800 block of South Lane Street in the Chinatown-International District on Saturday at 3:48 a.m. Officers found shell casings inside and outside a hookah lounge close by, but victims were not at the scene, KOMO News reports.
Four people arrived at Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds. Another called 911 from a separate location to report their gunshot injury, which was treated by the Seattle Fire Department.
One person’s injuries required emergency surgery.
People at nearby businesses told the Seattle Times that a series of late-night fights and shootings have been occurring at the hookah lounge.
George Engelstad, a bartender at Filipino restaurant Kilig, said local business owners have been discussing ways to shut down the hookah lounge. He expressed frustration with how violent incidents in Chinatown affect people’s view of the neighborhood.
“We’re getting there, but definitely this kind of stuff isn’t helping,” Engelstad told the Times. “There’s so many cool things going on here (in the Chinatown International District).”
Police are encouraging anyone with information to call 911 or the Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
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