A deadly shooting at a movie theater in Kent, Washington, occurred Tuesday morning as patrons were watching the new film “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” According to police, the incident began around 12:30 a.m., and the shooting appears to be aimed at an individual.
Additional law enforcement personnel were dispatched to look for the alleged perpetrator, reportedly a “dark-skinned man of about five feet and eleven inches tall, wearing a ski mask.” Although no suspect has been arrested, there is no current threat to the public.
Witnesses reported mistaking the police lights for part of the movie until they heard the announcement to evacuate the theater. The shopping center where the shooting occurred is still closed, and the motive and identities of the suspect and victim have yet to be identified.
The victim of the shooting was 19 years old. KIRO 7 interviewed a man who was covered in blood who claims to be a friend of the victim said he attempted to save his lifeand was with him until the end. The showing of the movie began at 10:30 p.m. on Monday. This shooting is similar to the one at a movie theater in Pennsylvania in January, which police believe was a planned attack. In that incident, a victim was struck by gunfire in the lobby of a Regal Cinema in Hazle Township. Police are still investigating the incident.