Manhunt launched after gunman, 21, kills three people in ‘random’ shooting in Washington Circle K
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Manhunt was started after a 21-year-old gunman killed three people in a ‘random’ shooting at the Washington Circle K convenience store before fleeing in a silver Chrysler
- Jarid Haddock, 21, was identified as the suspect after the attack at the Circle K store in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle, at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
- Two victims were shot inside the store, while a third was shot outside.
- The suspect then ran across the street to the ARCO gas station, where he shot another person inside a car, before getting into the sedan and driving away.
A gunman killed three people “at random” in a Washington store before fleeing the scene, police said Tuesday while warning the public not to approach the suspect who could be “armed and dangerous.”
Jarid Haddock, 21, was identified as the suspect by police after the attack at the Circle K store in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle, at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Two victims were shot inside the store, while a third was shot outside. The suspect then ran across the street to the ARCO gas station, where he shot another person inside a Chrysler sedan, forcing them to move to the passenger seat before getting into the vehicle.
‘It seems to be a random situation. There was no apparent conflict between the parties,’ Yakima Police Chief Matthew Murray said. “The man just walked in and started shooting.”
It is the latest shooting attack to rock the blood-drenched country this week after back-to-back mass shootings in California that left 18 dead.
Jarid Haddock, 21, was identified by police as the suspect after the attack at the Circle K store in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle, at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Photos released by the police department showed the suspect inside the store brandishing a handgun.
The police department posted a photo on social media of a man dressed entirely in black, including a hat, hoodie and jeans, and white Nike shoes.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) issued a statement after the shooting, saying the country was in the grip of an “epidemic of gun violence.”
Senator Murray tweeted: ‘This is heartbreaking and infuriating. Gun violence is an epidemic, it is happening in every community. My heart goes out to the Yakima community, but thoughts and prayers are not enough.
“If we’re serious about fighting violent crime, we need strong federal gun safety laws.”
Yakima police said the suspect initially stopped at the ARCO gas station and “tried to get into the lobby,” but the doors were locked.
“Then he walked across the street to Circle K,” Murray said. “As he walks into the store, he pulls out his gun and there are two people getting food and he shoots them.” Both people died.
The suspect then left the store and shot another person who was also killed.
The man then ran across the street back to the gas station, shot at a gray or silver Chrysler 200 sedan and forced the driver to move into the passenger seat.
The condition of the driver is unknown, including whether he was injured.
Murray said: ‘We believe there is possibly a fourth victim. We don’t know her status.
‘The man, after leaving Circle K, crossed the road and fired at a vehicle.
“The party in that vehicle could be seen moving to the passenger seat and the suspect stole their car.”
The police department released a photo of the suspect dressed entirely in black and brandishing a gun inside Circle K. The suspect was wearing a beanie, hoodie, jeans, and white Nikes.
“This is a dangerous person and he is random, so there is a danger to the community,” Murray said. We don’t have a reason and we don’t know why.
The Circle K store near E Nob Hill Boulevard and S 18th Street in Yakima, about 110 miles southeast of Seattle
The car was last seen heading east on Nob Hill Boulevard on Highway 24.
The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office announced road closures in the area.
“We are closing some roads in the East Valley area for an undetermined period of time,” his tweet read.
Yakima is a city of about 97,000 in Washington’s Yamika Valley, an agricultural region known for its apple farms and wineries.