Police hunt two suspects in connection with attack that also wounded three others on Tuesday night

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Two people were killed and three others wounded as shooting erupted on Tuesday night at a Seattle encampment for homeless people, in what police said was a “very targeted” attack.

Police responded to reports of shots fired at the camp – known as the jungle – about 7.15pm near Airport Way South and South Atlantic Street, south of downtown.

They did a search of the wooded area and found five victims, police said.

Assistant Seattle police chief Bob Merner said at a news conference the victims lived at the encampment. He said of the shooting that police “have reason to believe it was very targeted”.

Seattle police chief Kathleen O’Toole said officials did not believe anyone else was in danger.

No one has been arrested. Police interviewed witnesses and were searching for two people they said were “persons of interest” in the case.

“We are working furiously to identify a suspect,” O’Toole said.

Police said an unidentified woman died at the scene.

Four others who were hurt were taken to Harborview medical center in Seattle. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said a man brought in at 7.50pm also died.

Two women and a man, ranging in age from 25 to 45, were in surgery on Tuesday night, Gregg said. She said their gunshot wounds were to the chest, abdomen and back.

Seattle mayor Ed Murray had called the shooting an active crime scene and urged people to stay away from the area.

He and King county executive director Dow Constantine declared a state of emergency regarding homelessness in November, pledging more than $7m to address the crisis.

At a press briefing later on Tuesday night, Murray said: “I can’t help but wonder, did I act too late?”

He said the encampment “has been unmanageable and out of control for almost two decades”.

Officials said police would remain in the area overnight and would also check on other homeless encampments.