This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, a man was shot dead and another seriously injured in a police-free autonomous zone in Seattle, Washington.
The area, set up as part of the nationwide protest movement following the death of George Floyd, has been a frequent target of criticism from President Donald Trump.
Trump has called it a 'disaster' and said people there are anarchists from the 'radical left.'
For nearly two weeks, protesters and activists have occupied the western city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, establishing an area described as a 'no cop' zone.
According to the Seattle Police Department, officers attempted to locate a shooting victim but were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers' safe access to the victims.
Police arrived at the scene around 2:30 am and were later told that the pair had been transported to the hospital by the zone's 'medics.'
The other victim, a male, remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police said the shooter or shooters remained at large and that they had no description of a potential suspect.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan defended the zone after Trump threatened to intervene, while Governor Jay Inslee told the president that a 'man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business.'
At a rally in Oklahoma, Trump referenced the episode again, telling supporters that he had an offer to 'come in and straighten it out in one hour or less.'
