On the night of July 9, 2019, the life of 28-year-old John Willie Dale III, a Black male, was cut short in a targeted shooting in Seattle, Washington. Dale was walking in the Licton Springs neighborhood, along North 96th Street between Midvale and Aurora avenues, when two individuals opened fire, ending his life. The King County Medical Examiner's office later confirmed that he died from gunshot wounds.
Seattle police responded to the incident with a significant presence, including a
ground and air search for the individuals responsible for the shooting. Despite their efforts that night, the suspects managed to evade capture and were not immediately located. The motive behind the targeted attack on Dale remains unclear to investigators.
The death of John Willie Dale III was the second fatal shooting to occur in that same area within a short period, leaving the community unsettled. As the investigation into his death continues, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly identified. His loved ones remember him as a loving son, brother, and father, and his unsolved murder leaves a painful void for his family and the wider community.
