SEATTLE — One person has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Seattle's Central District Wednesday night.
Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a statement Thursday confirming the loss of D'Vonne Pickett Jr, describing him as "a father, businessman, mentor, and pillar in our Central District community." He noted Pickett's business honoring the legacy of a family member, his service as a youth sports coach and his work mentoring young people to "shape the next generation of leaders in our city."
Pickett and his wife owned The Postman, which KING 5 reported on in 2020. In an interview, they shared their excitement about investing into the community with their business, and their love for their roots in the Central District.
The Seattle Police Department did not release Pickett's name in their release, but confirmed that witnesses reported a man was shot and killed shortly after 6:30 p.m. near E. Union St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Seattle police officers and Seattle Fire Department medics arrived and began providing medical aid to the shooting victim. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center where he later died, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Loved ones and community members gathered at a vigil held outside The Postman on Thursday night.
“This community is broken right now. We’re hurting real bad. It’s like you lost a brother, you lost a son, you lost a pillar in this community,” said Jamar Tymony.
Tymony and Pickett coached youth football together. Tymony said Pickett was working better the community and shape future generations.
“You lost someone who people looked up to. Who grown men looked up to because he was showing how to do it the right way,” said Tymony.
The community was rocked by his loss and called for an end to senseless violence.
“I never thought I'd be burying my grandson,” said Maurice Hunter Sr. “He left a legacy right here that everybody is going to remember. Everybody. And I'm going to talk about him like he's still here. I know he's in my heart.”
Pickett was proud of his roots in the Central District and his family vowed to keep his memory and legacy alive.
“I want him to be proud of us and continue doing what he died doing. He died doing the right thing,” said Hunter Sr.
“You can see the love that this man created and how many lives that he touched,” said Tymony.
Gov. Jay Inslee said in a tweet that, "his leadership will be sorely missed by so many."
Seattle police and King County SWAT arrested the suspect in connection with the shooting at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
Detectives believe the suspect is connected to another homicide and multiple ongoing shooting investigations around the area.
The identity of the suspect has not been released.
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