A violent shooting that took place in Seattle’s CHAZ – Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone – has killed at least one and another injured.
CHAZ has gained great attention as a police-free area after a group of protestors settled down near the eponymous hill in Seattle.
Video from the residents inside the de facto commune show the community medics rushing to the help of what seems to be the two victims of the shooting. The Seattle police confirmed that around six bullets were fired around 2am Saturday, but did not disclose further information.
Despite the community declaring their area to be police-free, the Seattle police have announced that they have dispatched their officers inside CHAZ. Fully equipped anti-protest officers focused on collecting evidence, such as shell casings, inside the area.
As of now, it has been reported that the community residents transported the victims to a nearby hospital using their own vehicles, rather than calling an ambulance. Harborview Medical Center confirmed that they had treated two victims of gunshot wounds at their facility.
Unlike in other cities like New York City where gun-related crimes soared, Seattle police did not have any shootings on their list. Newsweek reports that the local police were investigating break-ins and arson before the shooting in the CHAZ.
The shooting is understood to have happened after a long day of protests in the area to mark the Juneteenth. City officials, such as Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, had been working out a plan with CHAZ residents to ensure a mutually acceptable way of law enforcement within the commune.
The New York Post notes that as of now, with the local police department not disclosing much information, there are conflicting reports over whether the police force was met with physical resistance by the commune residents.
The six blocks of the city has been abandoned by the authorities since June 8th, following a massive protest that was part of the anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.
Evaluation of the controversial community has more or less been divided along the party lines. While others praised how CHAZ showed there is no need for a large police force, others have denounced it as a form of anarchy.
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Replaced!