Boy, 10, was unharmed in the shooting in south Seattle but managed to call 911 and get help

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A man fatally shot his adult daughter and a teenage granddaughter on Monday night at a south Seattle home, then killed himself, Seattle police said. An unharmed 10-year-old boy was able to call 911 and report the shooting.

The boy called for help shortly after 8pm, saying his grandfather had waved a handgun at the two victims before shooting them, police said. The boy said his grandfather then turned the gun on himself.

Police described the gunman as in his 60s. None of the victims was immediately identified.

Police officials and Mayor Ed Murray rushed to the scene on South Fountain Street.

The boy was “shaken up” but unhurt, assistant police chief Nick Metz told reporters at the scene. The child was placed in the care of his extended family. It appeared there were just four people in the house, Metz said.

The motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately known, Metz said. Medics pronounced all three people dead at the scene.

The mayor said the shooting appears to be “a family tragedy”.

“One thing I would say is the neighborhood itself is safe,” Murray added.