Kirkland Police Release New Details In Houghton Beach Shooting

KIRKLAND, WA — The Kirkland Police Department is working to identify the occupants of a vehicle linked to the shooting death of a teenage boy at Houghton Beach Park in mid-September.

In a news release, the police department said its investigation was "rapidly progressing" as new details came to light. Detectives now believe the shooting was related to a "firearms transaction," and said the Kirkland park was chosen as a half-way meeting point. Police said the victim traveled from Marysville to meet the suspects who drove up from Renton.

Police said there are up to four people of interest in the case, and detectives have successfully made contact with two.

Investigators said multiple gunshots were audible in a clip that captured the shooting, and witnesses described two suspects running toward a dark blue BMW and fleeing the scene. Police released descriptions of two people seen near the dock where the shooting happened:

• Suspect 1: described as a white male, age 15-20 years old, 5’10”-6’ tall, thin build, curly hair (unknown color), wearing a gray hoodie, either gray sweatpants or light-colored jeans, and white athletic shoes.
• Suspect 2: described as an unknown race male, light skin, age 15-20 years old, 5’8”-5’10” tall, thin build, with dark curly hair, wearing a black hoodie (hood pulled over head), and black pants.

According to police, the suspects drove north on Lakeview Drive, nearly hitting a car driving in the opposite direction. Investigators are hoping to hear from the other driver. Detectives later recovered the suspects' vehicle and shared annotated photos online.

Anyone with information that can help police identify the shooting suspects is encouraged to call the department's tip line at 425-587-3515.