‘Good Samaritan’ sought in Donnie Chin shooting

International District Emergency Center director Donnie Chin was recently honored by OCA-Greater Seattle with a Golden Circle Award. Chin was shot and killed in the ID on July 23, 2015. (Photo by Han Eckelberg for The International Examiner.)
International District Emergency Center director Donnie Chin was recently honored by OCA-Greater Seattle with a Golden Circle Award. Chin was shot and killed in the ID on July 23, 2015. (Photo by Han Eckelberg for The International Examiner.)

 Seattle Police are seeking a “well-intentioned” man who picked up shell casings at the crime scene where International District community leader Donnie Chin was shot and killed on Thursday.

The man described as a “well-intentioned Good Samaritan” handed the shell casings to investigators while police were processing the crime scene and then left, according to a blog post by Seattle Police Sergeant Sean Whitcomb.

Whitcomb says police want to confirm the man’s identity so they can remove him from the potential suspect pool as they conduct forensic analysis.

The witness is described as a black man with facial hair, about 6-feet tall with a thin build and he wore a white brim hat, glasses and a green argyle shirt.

Seattle police ask anyone with information on the man to call the Seattle Police Homicide division at 206 684-5550.

Chin, the founder and director of the International District Emergency Center, was shot while driving near Eighth Avenue and South Weller Street around 3 a.m. Thursday. Multiple people called 9-1-1, but Chin died after being taken to Harborview Medical Center.

Chin has been remembered as a hero who championed for safety in the International District, where he grew up. Chin was tireless in his efforts to improve public safety in the International District, personally patrolling the area himself and often responding to medical emergencies and dangerous situations before Seattle Police or Fire arrived at the scene.

Additional coverage

Donnie Chin remembered at Sunday night vigil

International District community leader shot and killed Thursday