On the morning of August 16, 2021, 45-year-old Willie James Smith Jr., a Black / African American man, was found fatally shot at Seattle’s Gas Works Park. His body was discovered near a ballot drop box by a passerby after multiple calls reporting gunfire around 4:30 a.m. Officers on scene confirmed Smith had died from an apparent gunshot wound, and homicide detectives were called in to investigate.

The park was treated as a crime scene while investigators collected evidence. The Seattle Police Department classified the death as a homicide and asked the public for information. As of the latest available update, no arrests have been announced and police have not released details about any suspect or suspects. The family and the community continue to await answers.

If anyone was in or near Gas Works Park that morning or has information about this shooting, please share what you know with investigators.