Crime
Seattle Pioneer Square Mass Shooting Victims Identified
SEATTLE, WA — The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has officially identified the three individuals who were fatally shot during a mass shooting in Seattle’s Pioneer Square early Saturday morning.
The violent incident, which occurred in the heart of the historic downtown district, has left the community shaken and authorities actively pursuing leads.
According to the Seattle Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire just after 1 a.m. on May 17 in the area of 2nd Avenue South and South Main Street, near the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters.
Upon arrival, officers discovered four gunshot victims. Two men and one woman were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fourth victim survived and is currently recovering.
On Monday, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO) identified the deceased as:
- Keilani Renae Harris, 19, of Seattle
- Briaun Keith Dinish-Lomelli, 27, of Seattle
- August Alfred Lastrappe, 24, of Seattle
All three victims died from multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death for each was ruled homicide.
At this time, authorities have not determined what precipitated the shooting, and no arrests have been made. The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate and is urging the public for assistance.
Investigators are particularly interested in locating the driver of a black Tesla, possibly a Model Y, that was observed driving through Pioneer Square around the time of the shooting.
Police believe the vehicle’s onboard cameras may have captured crucial footage of the incident or individuals involved.
“We know that these vehicles are equipped with video evidence and that they write over very quickly,” said Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. “It’s important to get that information out now before it’s lost.”
Anyone with information related to the shooting or who may have been in the area is urged to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may remain anonymous.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify suspects and piece together what led to one of Seattle’s most tragic acts of gun violence in recent months.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.