Tuesday, October 6, 2026·Focal News

The Seattle Focal

Seattle's independent voice

Local

Tacoma downtown shooting leaves two dead as businesses urge city to address safety

Two men were killed and a woman was injured in a shooting early Sunday on Pacific Avenue. Downtown business owners and a resident say recurring violence is affecting their work and daily routines, and want city leaders to engage with the community.

Tacoma downtown shooting leaves two dead as businesses urge city to address safety
Two men were killed and a woman was injured in a shooting early Sunday in downtown Tacoma, prompting business owners to renew calls for more police presence and greater attention from city leaders. Tacoma police were called shortly before 12:30 a.m. to the 800 block of Pacific Avenue, where officers found the two men. Both died at the scene. Police had made no arrests as of Monday and had not released details about what led to the shooting or how many people may have been involved. The injured woman took herself to a hospital, police said. For Aaron Artis, who has run The Method Skateboards & Coffee downtown for five years, the deaths added to the strain of operating a business amid repeated safety concerns. He said business owners have contacted the mayor and City Council about problems downtown but feel their concerns have not been addressed. “It’s really hard enough as it is as a business environment downtown, then to have to deal with these kinds of incidents that continuously happen,” Artis said. He said he wants business owners included in discussions about solutions: “You can’t help anything if you don’t show up.” Across the street from the shooting scene, community members painted “Tacoma isn’t safe” as a message to city leaders. Downtown business owner Heath Hollensbe said merchants have repeatedly asked for more police presence and described the situation as exhausting. Resident Hailee Calder said the violence influences when she feels comfortable going out. As a single woman with a child, she said, she has to be especially vigilant when deciding whether to walk or run errands. Mayor Anders Ibsen said in a statement that public safety is the city’s paramount concern and that the city would work to bring those responsible to justice. He also said the City Council is working toward full staffing levels for the police department and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. City leaders were not available for an interview Monday. They were scheduled to speak with the media Tuesday about the city budget, which officials have said will place significant emphasis on public safety.

More from The Seattle Focal