Man fatally shot at an art gathering in Pioneer Square’s RailSpur (2025)

A man died in a shooting at an art gathering in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood late Thursday, according to police.

Taking place on the rooftop of a building that’s part of the RailSpur development, the gathering was meant to kick off several days of art exhibits and celebrations across the city in conjunction with the Seattle Art Fair happening at the nearby Lumen Field Event Center.

Shortly before 9:30 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a report of shots fired on the rooftop of the building at 419 Occidental Ave. S., according to police. They found a 30-year-old man who had been shot, the Seattle Police Department said in an online blotter post.

Despite lifesaving measures from police and the Fire Department, the man died, police said.

Police said it was not clear what led to the shooting and they have not identified any suspects.

Police found a second man on the street with a non-life-threatening injury from a tile shattered during the shooting.

Musician and teacher Afsheen Fatemi, and his partner, artist Malia Peoples, said they were just a few feet from where the shooting happened, on the northwest corner of the rooftop, where they planned to watch the sunset and chat with friends. Shortly after the group took selfies, they heard shots, the couple said.

Fatemi said he heard one gunshot that appeared to hit the ground and then felt pain in his leg. “I kind of went into shock,” he said. As they heard more gunshots, the group rushed down the stairs with other guests.

An ambulance took Peoples and Fatemi, whose leg was bleeding, to Harborview. Fatemi said a doctor told him he had shrapnel in both legs. The couple were discharged around 1 a.m., they said.

Fatemi said there had been no noises of an altercation before the shooting, and that there were just a few dozen people on the rooftop, and about a dozen in the corner where the shooting happened. “The energy wasn’t aggravated at all. And then all of a sudden there was a gunshot. And then we realized that what was happening [was] there’s a standoff between two gentlemen,” he said.

“It’s completely shocking,” Peoples said. “You’re enjoying art, you don’t expect this to happen.”

The couple also said there was a lack of security at the event. They said there was no ID or bag check and they saw no security personnel on the two top floors. They also said one of the people in their group pulled the fire alarm, but that it didn’t go off.

In an emailed statement, Jon Buerge, president of Urban Villages and developer of RailSpur, said five security guards were on-site (as well as as a site supervisor, three event coordinators, and seven volunteers) and that strict safety procedures were followed, including checking identification to get into the event. He also said that the DJ had a public address system that was used to tell people to evacuate the floor and that the building’s fire system was certified and inspected on July 19 and was found to be fully operational.

“Last week’s tragic incident was an isolated act and is not a reflection of our beloved community in Pioneer Square, which has been such a source of inspiration and connection,” Buerge said.

The gathering was part of the satellite art fair Forest For The Trees and the after-party of what organizers called “Seattle Art Week.” Representatives for Forest For The Trees were not available for comment.

The event also featured an exhibition organized by the Downtown Seattle Association as part of Forest For The Trees, previewing the Hope Corps Downtown Seattle Mural Project, a city-funded project that commissions artists to paint murals across downtown in the next two months as part of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan effort.

“Last night’s shooting is a tragic reminder that we need to address gun violence in our community,” said James Sido, of the Downtown Seattle Association, in an emailed statement. “Public safety must be priority one for our city and county leaders. The event was to celebrate art and creativity in Seattle and instead we’re mourning the loss of life and again contemplating senseless violence.”

Karissa Braxton, a spokesperson for Harrell, said in an emailed statement that public safety is the mayor’s highest priority. “That is why we continue to support a wide array of events and activations that increase activity — people in the neighborhood, feet on the street, eyes on the ground — which can help improve safety as we bring people downtown. … That said, improving safety requires a holistic approach, including specific efforts to address the proliferation of gun violence and prevalence of guns in our city and country. This tragic event underscores the urgent need to take guns off our streets.”

Jenn Wade, a RailSpur representative, said in an emailed statement: “We are extremely saddened by last night’s tragic incident. Our team is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our community members. We are cooperating with local law enforcement but cannot comment further on an open investigation. … Our thoughts are with those impacted during this very difficult time.”

RailSpur, a three-building development that will include a hotel, restaurants, bars and office space just steps from Seattle’s King Street Station, has been filled with art over the past few years as it awaits tenants.

Local artists and curators said the event and space are well-known for celebrating and supporting the local arts community.

“The art programming at Railspur over the past three years has given this city a vibrancy and sense of community that is unparalleled in the two decades I’ve lived and worked here,” said Amanda Manitach, a local artist and curator who collaborated with Forest For The Trees in its first iteration in 2022. “The curators spearheading this community … have been instrumental in bringing artists together from all over the world, but also from across Seattle, and RailSpur itself has come to be the physical nexus — a hub, a home and haven for artists to create and showcase important work.”

At the time of the shooting, Manitach was in the alley outside the RailSpur building, where a concert was taking place. She said she heard around six gunshots and, shortly after, saw people rushing out of the building.

“Ultimately, the vibrancy and love that holds our art community together is palpable on a day like today,” Manitach said. “Artists are here to heal and celebrate what makes us good, and we’ll continue to do just that.”

Anyone with information can call SPD’s violent crimes tip line at 206-233-5000.

Seattle Times staff reporter Catalina Gaitán contributed to this report.

This story was updated on July 29 to include a statement from a RailSpur representative about security measures in place at the event.

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) didn’t organize the exhibit that was on view during the event. While ARTS gave funding to the Downtown Seattle Association for the Hope Corps Downtown Seattle Mural Project, the event was not organized or directly funded by ARTS.