Wednesday, October 14, 2026·Focal News

The Seattle Focal

Seattle's independent voice

Local

Seattle police seek suspect after Belltown 76 clerk is fatally shot

A gas station clerk was killed shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday at a 76 station near Denny Way and Broad Street. Police say the suspect bought a drink before shooting the clerk and leaving without taking anything.

Seattle police seek suspect after Belltown 76 clerk is fatally shot
A clerk at a Belltown gas station was shot and killed shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Seattle police are searching for the person responsible. The shooting happened at a 76 station near Denny Way and Broad Street. Investigators say a heavy-set man wearing all black entered the store, bought a drink and shot the clerk before walking away. No money or merchandise was taken, and police say the shooting was not a robbery. It remains unclear whether the attack was random or targeted. Seattle police Detective Brian Pritchard called the circumstances alarming and said investigators want to locate the suspect. Fred Forrest, a customer who stopped for coffee shortly after the shooting, said he noticed the security door behind the counter was open and no clerk was visible. After seeing a tipped-over stool, he went behind the counter and found the clerk unresponsive. Forrest called 911, and officers arrived within minutes. A fellow employee described the clerk as one of the kindest people she had known. Detectives spent hours at the station gathering evidence and working to establish a timeline and possible motive. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Seattle Police Department or Crime Stoppers.

More from The Seattle Focal