The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) issued a press release on Thursday, June 2, 2016 following a three-hour search for the source of numerous gun shots in Preston turned up nothing.
KCSO stated around 11:15 AM, their 911 communications center received reports from people hearing the sound of multiple gunshots in the area of SE 86th and 311 Ave SE in the Unincorporated area of King County near Preston. While much of this area is designated as “open shoot,” (meaning it is legal to fire guns in a safe place, time and manner), the proximity to a YMCA day camp had deputies concerned.
Deputies arrived in the area within a few minutes after the initial reports and asked the camp to go into a temporary lockdown while they investigated. According to KCSO, deputies and the reporting parties heard anywhere from 30-60 rounds over a 20 minute time period, with the last shot that being heard around 11:45AM by deputies walking in the woods.
Those deputies also reported that the last shot sounded close enough that they were unsure if they were the targets. Following this, more deputies, including the Sheriff’s Office Guardian 1 helicopter as well as multiple TAC-30 team members, responded to the area. Guardian 1 checked the area by air with a FLIR and the TAC-30 team checked the area, including several small out buildings in the area, by foot.
But, despite over three hours of searching, no suspects or evidence of any shooting was found. So around 2:3PM, deputies who had been at Camp Terry during the search, lifted the lockdown and the roads in the area were re-opened.
KCSO said it is unclear what or if anything was the target of the shots that were heard, or who was doing the shooting. No person was ever seen shooting or holding a gun. No evidence was found of anything being hit or damaged by any gunshots. There were no injuries to anyone during this incident.
The area where this occurred is in rural, unincorporated King County. Although KCSO was not able to pinpoint the exact location of the fired shots, they said it was likely in an open shoot area.
KCSO cautioned that there are still rules and laws that apply to firing guns in these areas and citizens wishing to fire guns in open shoot areas are reminded that it should be in a safe place and away from any occupied structures or spaces of any kind.
Deputies would like to speak with anyone that may have been in the area shooting or know of someone who was. Anyone with that information is asked to call 206-296-3311.
