Man shot on street in Ravenna neighborhood

SEATTLE — Seattle police are searching for a gunman and his getaway driver in a shooting in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood Tuesday morning.

Police said 56-year-old man, who was on the sidewalk in the 2600 block of Northeast 55th Street, was shot several times.

Coworkers of the victim identified him as Victor Espinoza Sr.

Officers are searching for the gunman, who left in a dark sedan driven by another man. Police described them as African Americans in their late teens or early20s. Police said they left northbound on 27^th Avenue Northeast.

Dylan Clements saw the shooting from down the street.

“I looked up after the first gunshot, and saw a guy walking across the street, holding a gun and letting it off… The victim tried to run away, got about 10 feet and collapsed on the sidewalk,” Clements said.

He and co-workers called 911.

“A bunch of people were actually pretty brave. They ran to the victim and helped him as the guy was running off,” he said.

Several witnesses told KIRO 7 they heard five gunshots. Witness Eric Paulus, who is also a friend of Espinoza, said Espinoza lives and works nearby.

“I think Victor’s going to live. I hope he lives. He’s a great guy,” Paulus said.

Medics transported Espinoza, who is in critical condition, to Harborview Medical Center. Police are describing his injuries as life-threatening and serious enough to call for the homicide unit to investigate.

"This wasn't a robbery, this was a straight out attack," said Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb. “A man gets out of the car, confronts the other individual – the victim – shoots him several times, gets back in the car and takes off."

Homicide detectives are at the scene searching for the weapon in case it was dumped.

Three Seattle elementary schools were put on “shelter in place” mode for about an hour, where all classroom doors were locked. School is now back to normal.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspects is asked to call the Seattle police tip line at 206- 233-5000.

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