SEATTLE, Wash. – Relatives of a man critically injured in a weekend shooting at Golden Gardens Park are demanding answers after learning that police released the suspected gunman only hours after his arrest.
The Shooting
The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. Saturday as the 35-year-old victim was spending time with his wife and 12-year-old daughter at the popular park. A confrontation with another man escalated, ending when the suspect allegedly opened fire.
The victim was struck multiple times in the neck and torso before the gunman fled the scene in a car with two other people.
Bystanders, including a trauma doctor who happened to be at the park, rushed to provide first aid until Seattle Fire Department crews arrived. Police credited their quick actions with helping stabilize the victim before he was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and remains in stable condition.
Motive in Dispute
Family friends say the dispute began after the suspect allegedly inappropriately touched the victim’s pregnant wife. Police have not confirmed that account and have only said that a verbal disturbance preceded the shooting.
Arrest and Release
Seattle police quickly located the suspect. The 22-year-old man called 911 a short distance away and surrendered. Officers carried out what they described as a “high-risk, felony traffic stop” near 28th Avenue NW and NW Market Street, detaining three people and recovering a handgun.
Initial reports indicated the suspect would be booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault. However, investigators transported him to police headquarters for questioning by the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU).
By early Sunday morning, detectives had released the suspect pending further investigation. Police say the case remains “open and active.”
Family Frustration
News of the release has outraged the victim’s family and friends, who argue that the seriousness of the shooting warrants stricter action.
“I just don’t understand how someone can shoot a father in front of his wife and child and then walk free hours later,” said Riz Samad, a close family friend. “The family deserves answers.”
Community Concerns
The shooting has reignited debate over park safety in Seattle, with residents expressing mixed feelings about whether the city is doing enough to address gun violence in public spaces. Golden Gardens, known for its beaches and family gatherings, has seen periodic safety concerns but is not typically associated with violent crime.
What’s Next
Seattle police have not announced charges but stressed that detectives are still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Officials say the decision to release the suspect does not mean the case is closed.
As the victim continues recovering at Harborview, his family says they want accountability — and reassurance that a shooting like this will be treated with the gravity it deserves.
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