Jewish center hit

SEATTLE – A woman was dead and five others were hospitalized Friday afternoon after a shooting at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle building in downtown Seattle by a man who declared he was “angry with Israel.”

Seattle police later arrested the alleged gunman, who reportedly had walked into the building and started shooting. Police did not identify the suspect, but Naveed Afzal Haq was booked into jail late Friday for investigation of homicide and attempted homicide.

One victim died at the scene, according to police.

All five of the wounded are women, said Pamela Steele, a spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The women, ranging in age from 20 through their 40s, were brought in between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Three of the victims were in critical condition with wounds to the abdomen and underwent surgery, said Steele.

The other two women were in satisfactory condition. A 37-year-old woman, five months pregnant, was shot in the forearm. The other woman was shot in the knee, Steele said.

The shootings began shortly after 4 p.m. PDT, police said.

Several witnesses said they saw a man walk up to the entrance of the building and shoot a woman in the leg.

The man then walked into the building and went to the roof.

Witnesses said they heard one shot while the man was on the roof. The man then went back inside, and witnesses said they heard several more shots.

An employee in the building said she was at her desk when she heard what she at first thought were balloons popping.

“It went ‘Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!’ and then we heard a woman scream,” said the employee, who asked that her name not be used.

“One of the receptionists told me that he shot her and then demanded that she call 911,” the employee said. “He told the police that it was a hostage situation and he wanted us to get our weapons out of Israel.”

Most of the employees were able to leave through a back door.

A few minutes later, the man surrendered to officers.

“He was confronted by officers and peacefully gave up,” said Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief Nick Metz.

According to Amy Wasser-Simpson, the vice president for planning and community services for the Jewish Federation, the man had told staff members, “I’m a Muslim American; I’m angry at Israel,” then began shooting.

Shortly after the shooting, police began pushing back bystanders toward tiny Regrade Park at the corner of Third Avenue and Bell Street. Some of those walking by the Jewish Federation building during the shooting were being questioned by police.

SWAT-team members lingered on roofs of nearby apartment, condo and office buildings until about 5:30 p.m., poised with rifles ready.

Police searched a nearby parking garage, where some motorists were warned by officers to leave the building for safety. They wrapped up their search about 6:30 p.m.

Residents of nearby apartment and condominium buildings were warned to stay inside as well.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, founded in 1926, is an umbrella organization for the local Jewish community. It raises money for Jewish social-welfare organizations, runs youth and adult Jewish educational programs, and engages in efforts in support of Israel. It was a sponsor of a Solidarity with Israel rally Sunday.

The federation’s mission is to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide.

David Gomez, an assistant special agent in charge for the FBI, said there is nothing to indicate the gunman is part of a larger organization.

“We believe he is a lone individual with antagonism toward this organization,” he said.

Witnesses said they heard one shot while the man was on the roof. The man then went back inside, and witnesses said they heard several more shots.

An employee in the building said she was at her desk when she heard what she at first thought were balloons popping.

“It went ‘Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!’ and then we heard a woman scream,” said the employee, who asked that her name not be used.

“One of the receptionists told me that he shot her and then demanded that she call 911,” the employee said. “He told the police that it was a hostage situation and he wanted us to get our weapons out of Israel.”

Most of the employees were able to leave through a back door.

A few minutes later, the man surrendered to officers.

“He was confronted by officers and peacefully gave up,” said Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief Nick Metz.

According to Amy Wasser-Simpson, the vice president for planning and community services for the Jewish Federation, the man had told staff members, “I’m a Muslim American; I’m angry at Israel,” then began shooting.

Shortly after the shooting, police began pushing back bystanders toward tiny Regrade Park at the corner of Third Avenue and Bell Street. Some of those walking by the Jewish Federation building during the shooting were being questioned by police.

SWAT-team members lingered on roofs of nearby apartment, condo and office buildings until about 5:30 p.m., poised with rifles ready.

Police searched a nearby parking garage, where some motorists were warned by officers to leave the building for safety. They wrapped up their search about 6:30 p.m.

Residents of nearby apartment and condominium buildings were warned to stay inside as well.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, founded in 1926, is an umbrella organization for the local Jewish community. It raises money for Jewish social-welfare organizations, runs youth and adult Jewish educational programs, and engages in efforts in support of Israel. It was a sponsor of a Solidarity with Israel rally Sunday.

The federation’s mission is to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide.

David Gomez, an assistant special agent in charge for the FBI, said there is nothing to indicate the gunman is part of a larger organization.

“We believe he is a lone individual with antagonism toward this organization,” he said.