On Wednesday a gunman opened fire at Cafe Racer in Seattle, killing four people before fleeing and later killing another person and himself. Wednesday evening brought much sadness but also a heartfelt community response to the violence. Thursday was an extension of that, with hundreds of people gathering at Cowen Park, near Cafe Racer, for a “Walk for Love” that ended at the cafe. Again, it was a sad but very moving scene of people collectively mourning yet playing music and coming together to support each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: May 31, 7:00 p.m. – Short video, Joy and Mourning, added. Watch as Seattle residents react to a murder-suicide with both raw sadness and a joyous celebration of life.

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Update: May 31, 1:00 a.m. – 18 more photos added.

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Today was a sad day for Seattle. A murder-suicide was the latest in a rash of gun violence that by May has already brought the total murders for the year past the totals for 2011 and 2010, both of which were 20. The city responded with a collective mourning that was very powerful, and even more powerful was the celebration of life that lasted late into the night – just across the street from the scene of the murders, Cafe Racer. See below.

 

Above: Two women embrace after the crowd released paper lanterns into the sky in remembrance of those killed earlier that morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a look at a new gallery on my site, Occupy the Northwest, featuring Occupy images from the last 12 months in Seattle and Portland.

Update 5/2/2012 – 17 new images added.

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Below: A protestor is arrested by police Tuesday, May 1 during a May Day protest organized by Occupy Seattle. At least eight people were arrested as thousands marched the streets during multiple rallies and ongoing protests throughout the day. Sporadic violence broke out and demonstrators smashed several windows of banks and stores in downtown Seattle and committed other acts of vandalism. Much of the protests were, however, quite peaceful.

Shot for Zuma Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a couple of Space Needle photos for you lovers of Seattle photography out there. I shot these on a recent beautiful winter evening.

 

 

Mount Rainier seen from Seattle and nearby ferries.