I went to a rave last night. Better Off Undead.

It was fun. I met a lot of people. Some of them I knew on myspace. I gave a couple people a ride to the Spot afterwards, and then went home. This morning I woke up and saw the tail end of a news report about a shooting on Capital Hill. I also heard that someone I knew had been at the party, and was at a police station for questioning. I was shocked, but I needed to go to work, so I wasn't able to dwell on it too much. I thought about it a few times while at work and thought I'd check it out online when I got home.

I was listening to the Vortex on my way home, and they mentioned the shooting on air. When I got home, I logged onto myspace. One of my friends, Dolphin had posted the following bulletin:

Our Fallen family members names
they recently passed away in the hospital.

names

Deacon
Sushi
Nameless *dude ith the long hair always at the spot*
Jeremy Chickenhed
Jesus
and another 15 year old girl confirmed dead. im assuming its the girl that was with sushi

I'm pretty sure she got that from a post Adam Sin made on NWTekno.

When I saw Sushi on that list, I stopped thinking. I actually knew him. Even though I'd known all day that people had died, I never thought it would be anyone I knew. Sushi has been on my friends list for a few months now. I'd never met him in person until last night. I saw him at Better Off Undead, and we talked. He asked me if I wanted a light show. When I said yes, he sat me down, put his trademark red earphones on me, and gave me an awesome lightshow with two green leds. He gave me a peck on the lips too. When it was over, I thanked him and we wandered our separate ways. I thought he was a cute little guy. And I just found out that he died that night. I am shaken. I don't know what to think.

Most of you don't know me. I don't talk much, I don't go out every weekend, and I don't know all the cool people, but this bothered me. So I went out and scoured the internet to put together all the known information that I could find. Here it is:

Main thread on NWTekno about the shooting is here.
Roll call on NWTekno is here.

Article (chopped up from the Seattle Times) -

Seven people dead in Capitol Hill shooting
By Seattle Times staff

Police don't know yet why a gunman in his late 20s shot six people to death and then killed himself just after 7 this morning at a home in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.
At a news conference in the stunned neighborhood this afternoon, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said the shooter, a local man whose name has yet to be released, killed six young men and women inside and outside the house "execution style."
Armed with a 12-gauge pistol-grip shotgun and a semiautomatic handgun, the man prowled the home's second story looking for more targets, Kerlikowske said, missing two people locked in a bathroom. When he left the house, the gunman was confronted by a Seattle police officer who happened to be in the neighborhood. The officer was standing between the shooter and two injured victims. When the officer confronted the gunman, the man put the gun to his head and killed himself.
Six people, whose names have not been released, died at the scene – including the gunman. Three others were taken to Harborview Medical Center, where one man died and the other two remain hospitalized.

Nancie Thorne, whose 15-year-old daughter, Suzanne, was in the house when the man opened fire said she learned about what happened when Suzanne's 18-year-old boyfriend called her this morning.
"It's the worst phone call a mom can get," said Thorne, who went to the Capitol Hill home after getting the call.
She said she doesn't know where Suzanne is now.
The girl, her boyfriend Jesse Mullens and another friend had gone to what Thorne called a "zombie rave," a hard-core electronic dance party, in Seattle last night.
In his phone call, Mullens told Thorne that after the rave they went to the house on Capitol Hill for a party. As the couple and their friend were preparing to leave, the gunman barged into the home, Mullens said.
Suzanne had gone back inside, possibly to get something, her mother said.
Mullens told Thorne he heard a lot of gunshots. He thought Suzanne was stuck somewhere in the house with the shooter between her and the door.
"She shouldn't have gone to the rave. I've never approved of those things," Thorne said. "The young kids just don't get it.
"I just hope to God she's alive," she said, crying. "And if she is, she's grounded for life."

He said the shooter had been at the house, left, then returned with several guns.
"Everybody was cool and chill and this guy showed up and started firing rounds out on the porch. He shot a guy and then came inside and started letting off rounds," Will said.
"He went in there trying to kill people, that's for sure. He wasn't going after just one person because he was letting off all these rounds."
Aaron Hoyle, 25, said the home was being rented by five of his friends, who shared a love of electronic music. Hoyle, who wasn't there when the shots were fired this morning, said the occupants frequently hosted parties.

He said he saw the gunman leave the house through a side door, carrying what looked like a sawed-off shotgun.
"The officer yelled 'drop your ' and the guy put the gun to his mouth and pulled the trigger," Lowe said.
Lowe said the gunman looked familiar and he thinks he may have visited the house before. He said that since people moved into the home nearly six months ago it was a regular party destination for youth.


The people that died (Confirmed)-

Christopher Williamson, 21, aka Deacon

Jeremy Martin, 26, aka Jeremy Chickenhed
"Dirty Jesus Guadalupe Gonzalez, aka Jeremy is on the right in green." - deadletter on NWTekno

(Unconfirmed) -

Sushi

Nameless, aka Patches
15 year old girl. Tentitively IDed as Suzanne Thorne by Adam Sin on NWTekno.

That leaves one girl and one guy, presumably the shooter, still unaccounted for. In another post by Adam Sin, the name Allen is mentioned as being one of the dead, but I'm not sure if he is the fifth guy, or it could be Nameless's real name. There are also two more people in the hospital, genders and identities unknown.

There's lots we don't know. This is just what I put together with info I found.

DJ Ryle and Next Level are already talking about a benefit party. I hope that the whole scene can come together and help the families out.

RIP to all. Another of the deceased is Jason Travers:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=31647143

Thank you very much for posting this topic originally, Kes. It's true, there are still a lot of unknowns right now. I do know that I lost 1 friend, and quite a few people I didn't know, but who I miss and feel sorry for all the same. It's terrible that such a stupid, sensless act could destroy the futures of these innocent peace-loving young adults. We will probably never know the real reason why, it's how we remember the lives of those lost that matters in the end anyways.

Soccer momWrote:
There are going to be some serious questions asked. And lawsuits filed by parents. I think anyway. I know I would sue.

I'm sorry, but this seems like a strange thing to say or even propose. The only person at fault (the ONLY one you could legitamately sue, I guess), is dead. Period. ONE person was responsible, ONE person pulled the trigger. ONE person ended the lives of those dear to us and that ONE person killed himself.

Apparently people are eager to put blame anywhere and everywhere else (the rave scene, house parties, music itself), but that is actually very ignorant of the truth. One person did this, one person had the guns, one person did something very horrible.

Those at the party were there of thier own accord, did not see anything like what happened as even a possibility, and are very missed by those they were close to.

There is no point in getting sue-happy and putting blame and insult on other people, or the peace-loving welcoming community that originally united all these wonderful people; and somehow, one very disturbed one.

If anyone would like to educate themselves further on the recent blame game, CLICK HERE

that one guy (R.I.P. Justin, aka: Sushi)Wrote:

[t]Soccer momWrote:
There are going to be some serious questions asked. And lawsuits filed by parents. I think anyway. I know I would sue.
[/t]




I'm sorry, but this seems like a strange thing to say or even propose. The only person at fault (the ONLY one you could legitamately sue, I guess), is dead. Period. ONE person was responsible, ONE person pulled the trigger. ONE person ended the lives of those dear to us and that ONE person killed himself.

Apparently people are eager to put blame anywhere and everywhere else (the rave scene, house parties, music itself), but that is actually very ignorant of the truth. One person did this, one person had the guns, one person did something very horrible.

Those at the party were there of thier own accord, did not see anything like what happened as even a possibility, and are very missed by those they were close to.

There is no point in getting sue-happy and putting blame and insult on other people, or the peace-loving welcoming community that originally united all these wonderful people; and somehow, one very disturbed one.

If anyone would like to educate themselves further on the recent blame game, CLICK HERE

I thought the same thing when I saw she posted that....why the heck would parenst even consider filing a suit? because someone held a peaceful gathering at their house? that's not illegal. Plus, if parents were that worried, they would maybe have their 15 year old home at 7am...

i agree with panda girl above me...
why as a parent would sue a promoter!?
the promoter did not held the after party!
the promoter did not tell the shooter to kill these teens!
you are ignorant and i hope you get some damn sense in your head!
And you know when im a mom i will be open with child that i can pick them up from a party rather than have them stranded or feel like they cant call me cause i might yell at them!!

You never know with some people. They need someone to blame. The way this is developing, though, I don't think it will happen. I've been terrified that the media would really jump on the party aspect but the more I watch and read the more impressed I am with the coverage and the support for the victims and families. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the love in the community is showing through.

I'm compiling names and info for a memorial on my page, and I would appreciate any more info than what I already have here. Also, if I happen to have any info wrong on here, please let me know!

7 people (including shooter), confimed dead at an after-party in Seattle.

If you don't know what happened here in Seattle on Saturday morning, please click on the first 2 links below before reading anything else in this bulletin:

LOCAL NEWS ARTICLE EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED

USA TODAY ARTICLE ABOUT THE SHOOTER HIMSELF

If you already know what happened, then give this one a view:

DEFENSE OF THE SCENE AND CULTURE IN ANOTHER LOCAL ARTICLE


I still need more info to complete my memorial to the victims of this tragedy, all that's written below is what I have in my page so far:



THIS IS A MEMORIAL TO THOSE BRUTALLY TAKEN FROM US ON MARCH 25, 2006. CLICK ON THE PICTURE ON THE PERSON TO VIEW THIER MYSPACE SITE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT GREAT PEOPLE THEY WERE. It will eventually be posted as a memorial blog once all info is known. This is an ongoing list, not complete, that will continue to be added to as more info is known. I appreciate any info, names or myspace URL's of those lost I dont already have links for.
I knew one of the victims, Justin Schartz, and losing such a happy, funny, honest and open person really hurts. He will be listed first, the rest are in no particular order, save the amount of info I have on them. Although I didn't know the others personally, I still miss them and feel sorry for them and thier families all the same. It's terrible that such a stupid, sensless act could destroy the futures of these innocent peace-loving young adults. Although we will probably never know the real reason why, it's how we remember the lives of those lost that actually matters in the end.

Justin Schwartz, aka: Sushi, 22 years old:



Jason, you leave behind many people very fortunate to have known you, whether in person or online. You always knew how to make me laugh, and you always kept telling me how you couldn't wait 'til I graduated college so you could personally show me a great time in Seattle's rave scene.
You will be SO missed by us all, you touched a lot of people, and we will never forget you.
Keep the party going strong on the otherside, bro.

Christopher Williamson, aka: Deacon/Deacon808, 21 years old:


Jason Travers, aka: Skinless, 32 years old:


Jeremy Martin, aka: Jeremy Chickenhed, 26 years old:


Suzanne Thorne, aka: Patches, 15 years old.
NO PICTURE YET


THAT'S ALL THE INFO I HAVE ON THE VICTIMS SO FAR, MORE INFO APPRECIATED.

Originally posted by Matt, aka: that one guy

Soccer momWrote:

Suzanne was only 15! She does have a profile but she had it set to private profile.


There are going to be some serious questions asked. And lawsuits filed by parents. I think anyway. I know I would sue.

The blame game is ridiculous and a lawsuit is even more insane. If this "rumor" is in fact true, then I think the parents need to take some accountablility for letting their underage child do as they please and realize that they need not sue anybody. People are not property that you should be reimbursed for when lost or stolen.



Suing someone will not bring back anybody from being dead. If I were one of the dead, I would not want my parents to draw out my death through a lawsuit. It's not right and it's not anyone else's fault except for the gunman, who happens to be dead. Hell, his parents aren't even to blame. Only his. He pulled the trigger, not anyone else.



Any "average" person and live a "normal" life one day and be crazy the next. The thing about life is that you can never predict what will happen next, so you need to be prepared.



Let's not point fingers. Let's remember the good times and wish the best for the victim's families. Let's support each other in this very hard time.

I agree that a lawsuit is oh so petty.

It is very sad that each of these people were very young and my hearts go out to their families. Sushi was a happy little guy and I didn't really know anybody else. I think I remember meeting Melissa, the 15 year old, at a rave but it's hard to tell. I know she was from some city that starts with an "M". I'm assuming she was with Sushi that night if that was her.

I will miss all of them & I only hope that lawsuits will not be a result of all this mess.


R.I.P. Sushi


~Lil~

Melissa....
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=22614253

KesWrote:

DJ Ryle and Next Level are already talking about a benefit party. I hope that the whole scene can come together and help the families out.

I'd like that. Right now I think everybody who was part of the scene and knew anyone who died could use a way to bring closure to this, and keep it part of the scene. We need to celebrate these amazing peoples' lives as they lived them, and keep the memories of them alive. I hope all of their spirits' to rest peacefully, but I want to close my eyes at every party and see them dancing in the crowd. They should always be remembered at their peak, never at their end.

The Seattle Weekly arrived in our shop today and there I got my first look at the photos of the victims. It was as if my heart was pierced when I saw someone that I was very familiar with and that was Suzanne. This past year I had seen her innummerable times usually at the bus stops from Bellevue to Crossroads and back. And she came into the store, a music shop, more than once.
I only spoke to her once early on - probably bus stop stuff like ciggies or change. I remember when she went to the mohawk. What I especially remember was my reaction to her in a general way - which was that there was someone really fascinating in there. She was always with people so I never intruded. But God - I am going to miss her. My heart is broken.