SEATTLE — A man was shot and killed near Alki Beach Saturday evening.
A parking enforcement officer witnessed the shooting at Whale Tail Park around 6:30 p.m.
According to the Seattle Police Department, the victim was shot in the torso and flagged down officers for help near 56th Avenue Southwest and Alki Avenue Southwest. Officers and firefighters rendered aid before he was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he died.
One Alki resident told KING 5 that a family had to take refuge in his home.
"Then next thing I know they're running back towards my house and I took them in my house and 10 seconds later two men went running by. One with a gun in his hand," Alki resident Maurice said. "It's always been a place of gathering but the violence is getting out of hand."
Cars that were parked near Whale Tail Park were shot, but no other injuries were reported.
Police are still searching for a suspect, but do not have a description.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them immediately.
Jennifer La Rue was celebrating Mother's Day with her family at Alki Beach on Sunday. She said she's heartbroken by Saturday's shooting.
"It seems to be just part of our life now and that's really unfortunate," La Rue said. "You don't want to hear that, you don't want to see that, you want to protect your children regardless of age, whether they're her age or fully grown adults like we are, you don't want to see that happen for anyone in the community."
In May of 2022 hours were reduced at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens as a test by Seattle Parks and Recreation to address "dangerous and illegal behavior."
Seattle Parks and Recreation did not respond when asked if reduced hours were under consideration this year. Seattle police have not commented on whether any additional safety precautions will be taken at Seattle beaches this summer.
"You're going to have bad actors or people that just have nefarious actions or take nefarious actions have these things come about and I don't think there's anything police could've done," La Rue said. "There couldn't have been any deterrent."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington.
Watch KING 5's top stories playlist: