Police: Man set off fireworks in Pioneer Square

A man who set off fireworks early Saturday in Pioneer Square was arrested for investigation of reckless endangerment, and responding police said they expected to find a shooting scene.

The incident happened shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday near Occidental Avenue and Yesler Way. Officer  Anh Hoang drove toward the fireworks and people fled thinking the noises were shots.

“Expecting to find a gunman running through Pioneer Square, Officer Hoang drove toward Second Avenue, where (he) spotted a man casually walking down the street,” Department spokesman Jonah Spagenthal-Lee said in a statement. “The man then tossed something into the air, and the airborne object sparked and went boom.”

“The man spotted Officer Hoang and took off running, but officers chased the man through an alley and caught up to him a parking lot.”

The man apologized and told police he’d set off all his fireworks. He was booked into King County Jail, and police reported finding more fireworks in the man’s backpack.

The suspect was expected to have a bail hearing Monday afternoon.

KIRO