In the early hours of March 30, 2025, a tragic and violent incident unfolded outside the Capri Hookah Lounge in Seattle's Rainier Beach neighborhood, leading to the death of 23-year-old Ozzie Whitfield, a Black / African American male. The night took a fatal turn when a man, later identified as 25-year-old Leontai D. Berry, approached Whitfield and shot him.
Surveillance footage from the scene captured the chilling moments as the shooter approached Whitfield, who was reportedly being
frisked by security to enter the lounge, and fired, striking him in the head. The sudden violence immediately escalated as an armed security guard, Julius Rodriguez, courageously pursued the gunman. As the suspect fled, he reportedly hit his head on a low-hanging beam, causing him to stumble and fall before he continued to a waiting black sedan. During the chase, Rodriguez was also fatally shot.
Seattle police responded to the chaotic scene to find a crowd attempting to aid both victims. Whitfield was pronounced dead at the scene, while Rodriguez was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation quickly led authorities to a suspect. Later that same morning, Leontai Berry sought treatment at Valley Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his leg. His injuries, including a wound to his forehead consistent with hitting the beam seen in the surveillance video, linked him to the crime.
Berry was taken into custody and has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with firearm enhancements and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. At the time of the incident, Berry was on federal probation for a prior gun-related conviction. He is currently being held on a $5 million bail. The motive for the initial shooting of Ozzie Whitfield has not been publicly detailed.
