In the early morning hours of a Wednesday in late October 2021, Charles Chappelle Jr., a 43-year-old Black/African American male, was found assaulted and shot in the parking lot of a shopping center at 23rd and Jackson in Seattle's Central District. Police responded to reports of gunfire just after 1 a.m. and discovered Chappelle on the pavement. He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, but he succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
The King County Medical Examiner's Office later
confirmed his identity and cause of death. Chappelle was a father to three children and a grandfather. Known as "Chuck" to friends and family, he was described as a minister, life coach, and community advocate who was a staple in the Seattle area. Those who knew him remembered his smile, sincerity, and love for God.
The investigation into Chappelle's death is ongoing, and as of now, no arrests have been made. Seattle police have not released any specific details about a suspect or suspects. Detectives believe there were witnesses to the shooting who left the scene before officers arrived. They have reviewed security footage from the area and have appealed to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest, asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact the Violent Crimes Tip Line. His death marked the 38th homicide in Seattle in 2021.
