A store employee was shot and wounded Tuesday night (Sept. 12) during a robbery at the Star 21 marijuana shop in the 11000 block of 1st Ave South (map below).

The employee was shot in the shoulder and is expected to survive.

Police say the incident happened just before 10 p.m. at the Star 21 pot shop, when a store employee saw lights and heard loud banging near the front door, so he opened the door to see what it was. He saw a vehicle rapidly backing into the barriers placed in front of the store. A group of men, wearing masks, got out of the car and ran towards him at the front door. The employee tried to close the door but the men forced their way inside. One of the suspects shot the 25-year old employee in the shoulder as they entered the store.

The suspects were described as black males wearing masks and hoodies.

Once inside the store, the suspects rummaged around, taking items before fleeing northbound in the vehicle. A short time later a deputy found the vehicle unoccupied near S. 110th Street and Occidental Ave South. The vehicle had been reported stolen in a carjacking in SeaTac on Monday.

The employee was taken to Harborview with serious injuries.

The carjacking (of the suspect vehicle) occurred on Monday night around 11 p.m. The victim was sitting in his car in a parking lot in the 3500 block of S. 180th Street when he was approached by three males. One of the males produced a handgun, pointed it at the victim and demanded his car keys. The suspects then fled in the vehicle. The suspects in this case were described as two Hispanic males and one black male, all believed to be in their teens.

Police unsuccessful searched with a K-9 track, and the Sheriff’s Office Guardian 1 helicopter responded.

If you have information about these crimes please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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2 replies on “Employee shot during marijuana store robbery near White Center Tues. night”

  1. Those shop owners are really nice, decent people–They did not deserve this.

    The guy who stood out there with the two women wondering what to do (maybe call 911 or help stop the bleeding ya think?), looks like an opportunist, and may have taken advantage of the situation. I noticed he walked back into the store he came out of when what looks like an employee there came out to help the wounded man, and everyone was distracted.

  2. Sounds a lot like street gang activity. Any chance these young individuals are in the same gang as the 6 arrested just a few days ago for robbing the 7-11 employee at gun point?

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