9 injured, 2 dead following spate of violence on Seattle-Tacoma area's warmest day

Two people are dead and nine others injured after a spate of violence in the Seattle area on Wednesday, as temperatures climbed into the 80s for the first time this year.

The first incident on Wednesday occurred at Harry Todd Park in Lakewood, Pierce County, where seven people were shot.

In an Instagram post Thursday, the Lakewood Police Department said it received reports just before 8 p.m. of gunshots being fired at the park, located on American Lake in Pierce County.

When officers arrived, the department said they found a large crowd of over 100 people "likely at the park due to the nice weather," and the scene was "hectic" as many people were trying to leave after hearing shots fired.

As of Thursday afternoon, one person — a 38-year-old man — remains in critical condition, according to police. Two others — a 19-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — are in serious condition. The four other victims are in stable condition.

The shooting remains under investigation, but police say they currently believe the incident began as a "dispute between two groups that escalated to gunshots between them."

"Detectives are receiving numerous tips, which we are grateful for and thank the community for reaching out," the department said in a press release. "Unfortunately, there were unintended/uninvolved victims struck during this careless act of violence. Detectives will continue to sort through the information gathered to hold those involved accountable for their actions."

Two other incidents of violence — a shooting and a stabbing — occurred in downtown Seattle later Wednesday night, leaving two people dead and two others injured.

In a news release, the Seattle Police Department said officers responded to reports of gunfire near 1st Avenue and Union Street around 10 p.m. They found three people with gunshot wounds.

Police say the suspect shot two victims during an altercation. Then, police say, a private citizen who is licensed to carry a firearm intervened and shot the suspect.

Both the victims and the suspect were transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. "Despite all life-saving efforts," the suspect later died, police say.

The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.

About fifteen minutes after responding to the shooting, SPD received reports of a stabbing near 5th Avenue and Pike Street.

The Seattle Fire Department arrived at the same time, according to a news release, and found a man with stab wounds in a nearby alleyway. The man later died at 5th and Pine.

Police say the circumstances leading up to the stabbing remain under investigation, but officers have determined that an altercation occurred between two men and one of them stabbed the other. The injured man ran away and collapsed in the alley.

Police say they've recovered a knife, and the man involved in the incident "cooperated with police."

RELATED: One day it's hot, the next it's not. Seattle braces for 24-hour heat wave

This flurry of violence Wednesday came as the Seattle metropolitan area saw the hottest day of the year so far — and research has shown a link between warmer days and increased gun violence.

A 2022 study — led by a University of Washington researcher — found that above-average temperatures at any time of the year are linked with a rise in the risk of shootings. The study was based on data between 2015 and 2020 from 100 cities, including Seattle.

And this summer could be a scorcher. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center predicts there's about a 40% chance this summer could be hotter than average across Washington state.

RELATED: Police patrols, earlier closures included in Seattle's summer safety plan for some parks

To curb the seasonal uptick in violence, Seattle officials have announced a new summer safety strategy. It includes measures like increasing police patrols, employing more park rangers, imposing earlier beach curfews, and putting up physical barriers at popular parks and boat launches throughout the city.

Lakewood Police spokesperson Sgt. Charles Porche said Thursday the department's working on a plan to increase police patrols and officers' overall presence at Harry Todd Park for the summer season.

"We have enacted a plan in previous years and are looking forward to doing it again," he said.