Shootings shock Seattle rave community

SEATTLE – Raves – all-night dance parties where the young go to lose themselves in thumping, bass-laden electronic music – foster a strong sense of community, the kind of trust that prompts people to invite a stranger home.

That trust was snuffed out in Seattle this weekend along with many lives after an armed man apparently turned his arsenal on those who had embraced him as a new friend.

“We’re probably the only community in society that would have welcomed somebody so easily,” said Travis Webb, a Seattle rave promoter, the day after six young people were killed at a Seattle house party.

Now, the community is in shock following the apparent random act of violence. Many are afraid that in addition to losing their friends, their whole scene may disappear.

“It’s almost a double punishment,” Webb said. “You lose six people that are so close, and then you might lose the community that brought you all together in the first place.”

Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Aaron Kyle Huff, 28, who moved to Seattle nearly five years ago from Whitefish, Mont. Police said the shooter turned the gun on himself when an officer confronted him early Saturday morning.

Police, city officials and the media are scrutinizing the rave community for clues to how Huff made his way to an early morning after-party.

Organizers said about 500 people attended the “Better Off Undead” rave Friday night. Afterward, some made their way to a house party already under way in a nearby residential neighborhood. Someone invited Huff, police said.

Raves often are themed events where people dress up in Halloween-like outfits and paint their faces. On Friday, many were dressed like zombies in dark clothing and pale makeup.

It was at an early morning after-party that police say Huff, heavily armed, opened fire, killing four men and two women before killing himself. While friends of the victims said they didn’t know who invited the suspect, they said the invite wasn’t unusual.

“I’ve invited people to after-parties many times,” said 28-year-old Roger Platt, who left the party 15 minutes before the shooting.

Ravers said the after-parties are mellow early morning affairs. People hang, chill out and wait for buses to start running again.

Rebecca Bouslaugh, 17, of Seattle, said she often invites 10 or more friends over to her place after a rave, but she has rules. Only people she knows, she said, are invited.

For her, the rave scene is about being accepted for who she is.

“At raves, people are out there to have fun,” she said. “We don’t judge people.”

Several ravers, some of whom gathered at a makeshift memorial near the crime scene Sunday morning, said the parties are one of the few places young people can go to feel welcomed regardless of looks or background. Many have several piercings in their ears, nose and lips.

Typically no alcohol is served, but many say drugs are a part of the scene.

Police said alcohol and marijuana were found at the murder scene, but they have not linked the gruesome events to drug use.