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UPDATE: Suspect shot by SPD dies after he shot Metro operator downtown on First Hill-Central District bus line

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UPDATE: The man who allegedly shot a Metro bus driver Monday morning has died from  injuries he sustained when he was shot by Seattle police, according to SPD. The suspect shot the bus driver multiple times in the face and body this morning on 3rd Ave. near Benaroya Hall. After shooting the bus operator, the suspect reportedly boarded another bus at 2nd and Seneca, where Seattle police officers shot the man through the bus windshield. He died several hours later at Harborview Medical Center.

The bus driver is in stable condition at Harborview. After visiting the hospital, King County Executive Dow Constantine told the Seattle Times that the 64-year-old operator is “remarkably upbeat.” No passengers were seriously injured in either shooting.

UPDATE: Harborview confirmed that the injured driver is Deloy Dupuis, reported the Seattle Times. Dupuis has worked for Metro since 1999 and has a clean record, according to Constantine.

KIRO 7 reported witnesses saw three men board the No. 27 bus without paying the fare around 8:50 AM. When the driver asked them to pay, the suspect, who was not one of the three, yelled “war” and started firing. The No. 27 bus line connects First Hill and the Central District with downtown.

The suspect then rushed into a No. 120 bus. That’s when police opened fire, hitting the suspect and putting several bullet holes through the bus windshield. Police have not yet identified the suspect, but the Seattle Times reports the man is 31-year-old Martin Duckworth.

UPDATE: Constantine joined Mayor Mike McGinn and acting SPD Chief Jim Pugel at a 2 PM press conference today to discuss the incident. Pugel said SPD officers shot the suspect when he raised his gun while inside the No. 120 bus. Officers fired again when the suspect appeared to raise his gun a second time. According to Pugel, officers were on the scene within minutes, and the incident was over seven minutes after police were called. Pugel said SPD would review security camera footage from both buses, as well as cell phone videos taken by witnesses. Constantine said that during his hospital visit the driver immediately asked if any passengers were injured in the shooting. The King County executive said he would not release the name of the driver until the driver’s family members were notified first.

“There are a lot of people out there with guns who shouldn’t have them,” Constantine said. He later added “I hope the next time you board a bus you will thank a Metro driver.”

At an earlier news briefing, Seattle police Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh acknowledged the danger that the officers posed by opening fire on a still-boarded bus, but said they made the right call.

“The officers are trained to make life and death decisions,” McDonagh said. “This was very dynamic situation, dangerous and dynamic.”

Southbound 3rd and 2nd avenues are closed between Pine and Seneca streets. Nearby businesses were also closed. Metro says expect delays on downtown routes as the police investigation continues.

Constantine, Mayor Mike McGinn, and acting police chief Jim Pugel are slated to hold a press conference today at 2 p.m. to talk about the shooting.

10 thoughts on “UPDATE: Suspect shot by SPD dies after he shot Metro operator downtown on First Hill-Central District bus line”

  1. This is very sad, I would more describe the 27 as serving Leschi, E. Yesler, Bailey Gatzert, (perhaps Pioneer Square) to downtown. Some may use it in some way for First Hill locations, but that is not a primary use for the 27.

  2. I like how I can find any news of the re-routes on the DOT or Metro websites.

    Thank you CD news!

    • It does seem like the alerts that affect so many routes should be displayed on the main page. Metro emailed alerts similar to the one below to those signed up for alerts. You can sign up through Metro’s home page and clicking on alerts. This does not mean that I think you should have to sign up.

      ” Rts 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 36 are temporarily rerouted off of southbound 3rd Av between Stewart and Marion St until further notice.

      Rt 2 customers, please use the stops on 3rd Av north of Stewart St or on Marion St east of 3rd Av.

      Rts 3, 4, 14, 36 customers, please use the stops on 3rd ave north of Stewart St or south of Marion St.

      Rt 7 customers, please use the stops o Stewart St east of 3rd Av or on 3rd Av south of Marion St.”

  6. You have to wonder whether McGinn’s Downtown Crime Initiative – centered at this area – has done anything. The guy violated parole 5 times and was thrown back in jail then didn’t check in his PO in Dec 2012. So he is out on the street with a gun? When will this city wake up. I’m glad the driver is doing ok but this didn’t have to happen at all.

  7. I love that CD News is one of my first stops for breaking news! Thank you! I also agree that this was completely senseless… Supremely tragic and my heart goes out the driver, nobody deserves that!!