The grief-stricken mother of 19-year-old Keilani Renae Harris stood in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, her voice trembling as she spoke to reporters. “I just want my baby here,” Christina Rivas said, her words heavy with the unbearable weight of loss. Keilani was one of three young people killed in a mass shooting outside a nightclub in this historic downtown district early Saturday morning, May 17, 2025. The tragedy, which also left a fourth victim critically injured, has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents and business owners grappling with fear and sorrow while police scramble for answers in a case that remains unsolved.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Keilani Renae Harris, 19, Briaun Keith Dinish-Lomelli, 27, and August Alfred Lastrappe, 24, all Seattle residents. Each died from multiple gunshot wounds, and their deaths were classified as homicides. The surviving victim, a young man in his 20s, was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. The shooting occurred just after 1 a.m. near the intersection of 2nd Avenue South and South Main Street, outside the OHM Nightclub, a popular spot in the vibrant Pioneer Square neighborhood. The area, known for its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and bustling nightlife, was enjoying a period of revitalization with new businesses and well-attended events like art walks and jazz nights. This act of violence, however, has cast a shadow over those efforts, leaving the community reeling.
Seattle Police Department officers, already patrolling nearby, responded swiftly to reports of gunfire. They found the four victims unresponsive, with shell casings scattered across the scene, evidence of the chaos that had unfolded moments earlier. Despite their proximity, officers were unable to prevent the tragedy but provided immediate life-saving measures in a desperate attempt to save the victims. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, addressing the media on Monday, called the investigation a “top priority” and pledged every available resource to bring those responsible to justice. “To the families of these victims,” he said, “please know that we are working around the clock to find answers.”
As the investigation unfolds, police have issued an urgent appeal to the public, seeking the driver of a black Tesla Model Y seen in the area around 1:18 a.m. on Saturday. Authorities emphasize that the driver is not a suspect but believe the vehicle’s onboard cameras may have captured critical footage of the incident or individuals involved. Chief Barnes noted that Tesla vehicles automatically record video, but the footage is overwritten quickly, making it imperative to locate the driver as soon as possible. The public is urged to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS, with the option to remain anonymous.
The shooting has heightened concerns about safety in Pioneer Square, an area that has seen an uptick in violent incidents in recent days. Just one day after the nightclub shooting, a separate altercation in nearby Occidental Park resulted in one man being stabbed and another knocked unconscious. On Tuesday morning, another shooting in the neighborhood left a 44-year-old man seriously injured, though a suspect was arrested in that case. These incidents have alarmed local business owners like Emmie Nguyen, whose Four Diamonds restaurant, located next to the OHM Nightclub, was struck by nearly a dozen bullets during the shooting. “It’s really scary,” Nguyen said. “What if we were working in here? It definitely would have hit one of us.” Despite the fear, community leaders like Lisa Howard, executive director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square, are urging residents and visitors not to abandon the neighborhood, emphasizing its resilience and ongoing revitalization.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell described the shooting as a “devastating, heartbreaking tragedy” and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to reducing gun violence, particularly as summer approaches. The incident marks the 12th homicide in Seattle this year, a stark contrast to the 54 homicides recorded in 2024. In response, Chief Barnes announced increased police patrols in Pioneer Square to restore a sense of safety. Meanwhile, families like that of August Lastrappe, who was celebrating a birthday at the nightclub, and Keilani Harris, described by her mother as a vibrant young woman who “didn’t deserve to die,” are left to mourn. The community’s heartbreak is palpable, but so is its resolve to seek justice and healing in the face of senseless violence.
Anyone with information, no matter how small, is encouraged to come forward to help bring closure to the families and ensure such tragedies do not define Pioneer Square’s future.