On a Friday night in the White Center neighborhood just outside Seattle, the life of 27-year-old Kenny Su, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short. The events of November 10, 2017, unfolded with a sudden and violent altercation that would leave a family grieving and a community in shock. Su, a father to three young children, was remembered by his family as a man who always prioritized his kids, ensuring they were provided for before himself.
The evening began with a
confrontation between Su and a 16-year-old boy. According to reports, a physical fight broke out between them in the middle of the street. The situation escalated dramatically when Su allegedly stabbed the teenager in the neck. In response, the teenager, who was reportedly encouraged by someone in his group, pulled out a handgun and shot Su multiple times. The shooting occurred around 10:40 p.m. near Southwest 98th Street and 15th Avenue Southwest.
First responders arrived at the scene to find Su with several gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite their efforts to perform CPR, he was pronounced dead at the scene around 11 p.m. Investigators from the King County Sheriff's Office recovered five. 40 caliber shell casings near his body. In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement, with the assistance of a helicopter and K-9 units, searched for the individuals involved but were initially unable to locate them. Witnesses described the suspected shooter as wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.
An investigation led detectives to a student at Capital High School in Olympia who frequently visited family in Seattle. The 16-year-old was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. He claimed that Su had stabbed him and tried to steal his shoes. The teenager admitted to shooting Su, stating that after being struck by Su and falling to the ground, Su brandished a knife and lunged at him, prompting him to fire his weapon. Though initially arrested for investigation of second-degree murder, the teenager was ultimately charged only with illegal firearm possession.
