Everyone attending is fine.
The meeting was scheduled to start at 2 PM and I was walking down 35th Ave NE toward the library around 1:50 PM when several police cars whizzed by. I rushed into the library when there was the loud sound of a car collision. A few seconds later, there was a lot of gunfire...and it seemed VERY close. In fact, it was happening right outside the library. We were all pressed to the floor.
Eventually the shots stopped and a few minutes later, we took a look (see picture), with armed police behind shields and the shredded remains of a black car (which the offender, now deceased, was driving).
According to news reports, the car was hijacked by an armed individual who had shot at police.
And now the amazing thing.... even with police blocking many of the nearby streets, a few dozen KPLU supporters pushed their way to the library, where we still had our strategy meeting for saving KPLU. These folks are so dedicated that gunfire does not stop them. KPLU means that much to them.
KPLU is a public jewel and listeners are determined to stop its needless destruction by a secret deal between PLU and UW administrators. Administrators that seem to have little understanding how important this vibrant radio station is to hundreds of thousands of local listeners for wonderful news coverage, NPR programming, and jazz. Administrators that are deliberately spreading false information (such as the suggestion that the only way to save KPLU's jazz programming is by a UW/KUOW buyout). KPLU could easily stand on its own as an independent station if given the chance.
Want more information about PLU's ill-conceived sales plan and how you can stop it?
Go to http://savekplu.org
I should note that the Seattle Police was really exceptionally helpful and concerned after the incident. They allowed me to secure my car after checking it for bullet holes and damage (it was parked VERY close to the action).
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