Police search for gunman after shooting at busy Seattle shopping plaza

SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a shooting at a busy shopping plaza at Jackson and 23^rd on Thursday afternoon.

Witnesses reported hearing anywhere from four to eight shots.

“Real loud,” neighbor Matthew Wilson said. “We thought, whoa. Let’s get away from the window.”

Damages from bullets could be seen on the columns in front of Auto Zone and other stores next to it.

Rebeca Ruiz Perez had stepped into Auto Zone, leaving her mother and three kids in the car, when gunfire erupted outside.

“I freaked out - I was like ‘Oh my god, my kids, you know-- that was the first thing: my kids,” she said.

Fortunately no one was injured during the shooting.

A store employee told KIRO 7 off-camera that he saw two men near the staircase to the left of Auto Zone where the gunfire broke out. He is not sure if one or two people opened fire.

Police placed about a dozen evidence markers on the ground to mark shell casings and what was left of bullets.

Perez doesn't know what led up to the shooting, but she does remember seeing two men wearing masks walk past the stores minutes before.

“They were, like, prepared,” she said. “They were ready, they were going to do something, they already knew that something was going to happen.”

Seattle police said shootings happen but it is rare that they are in the middle of the day in such a busy area.

“It's scary,” Perez said. “Who wants to live in a neighborhood with people getting at each other?”

Seattle police are reviewing surveillance video to see if they can identify the shooter or shooters.

Cox Media Group