A 57-year-old woman was shot in the neck area after using an ATM on Burnett Avenue late Oct. 3.
According to the Renton Police Department (RPD), the woman was shot during a robbery around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 in the 300 block of Burnett Ave. South. A suspect described as a Black male in his 20s, wearing an all-red top and bottom, and a face mask, attempted to grab the woman’s purse after she used an ATM.
According to RPD, a struggle ensued, then the suspect shot the woman in the neck area. The suspect fled the scene of the incident and was not located. According to the department, the suspect fled on foot, and it is unknown if he left in a vehicle.
RPD spokesperson Meeghan Black said immediately after the incident, there was a significant response from RPD, including lifesaving measures for the victim. Black said that multiple officers fanned out to search for the suspect while others secured the scene and preserved evidence. The K9 was deployed along with King County Air Support, she added.
Black said this incident qualifies as first-degree robbery and first-degree assault.
The department stated that the relationship between the woman and the suspect is unknown. According to the department, medics treated the woman, and she was transported to Harborview Medical Center.
“We are working with other agencies to see if this suspect may have been involved in other armed robberies in the area,” Black said. “The investigation is intensive and ongoing.”
Black said people can report tips related to this incident to Crimetips@rentonwa.gov, or they can use Crime Stoppers and be eligible for up to a $1000 reward: Submit a Tip – Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.
“It is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and to bring someone with you to locations where you may be vulnerable,” Black said. “Be sure to scan the area to ensure no one is loitering in the open or in a car. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave the area. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you feel you are in danger.”
The Renton Reporter will update the story as developments arise.
