{
  "id": "2026-01-21-university-of-washington-shots-fired-near-45th-15th",
  "slug": "university-of-washington-shots-fired-near-45th-15th-2026-01-21",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Washington",
    "shortName": "UW",
    "state": "WA",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UW Alert",
    "enrollment": 50000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-01-21",
    "type": "active-threat",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Shots fired near 45th & 15th",
    "headlinePublic": "Shots fired near 45th & 15th",
    "summary": "University of Washington [published an official alert update](https://emergency.uw.edu/2026/01/21/shots-fired-near-45th-15th/) on or about 2026-01-21. Full text is preserved from the official emergency updates archive.",
    "outcome": "See official update page for operational or investigation status.",
    "casualties": {
      "killed": 0,
      "injured": 0
    }
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "Published on or about 2026-01-21 on the official emergency updates site",
      "channel": "multi-channel",
      "verbatimText": "UPDATE at 4:35 p.m. Jan. 22: Police believe that the shots were fired on Jan. 21 by a man on the sidewalk near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street. The man may have been aiming at a nearby vehicle. The shooting occurred after a person walking with the man had a conversation with people inside the vehicle. Seattle police are still searching for suspects in connection with the incident.\n\nIf you witnessed the incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the Seattle Police Department violent crime tip line at 206-233-5000 and reference case 25-96214. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.\n\nUPDATE at 9:10 a.m. Jan. 22: UW Police Department officers have confirmed that the report of gunfire in the 4500 block of 18th Avenue NE was noise caused by fireworks, not gunshots.\n\nUPDATE at 11:32 p.m.: Suspects in gunshots fired near 45th not yet located. If seen, call 911. No victims or injuries reported.\n\nThe second report of potential gunshots may have been fireworks, however shell casings were found at the first location. Any further information will be posted here if it becomes available.\n\nUPDATE at 11:16 p.m.: Report of additional gunshots fired in the 4500 block of 18th Ave. NE. It is unclear at this time if these incidents are related.\n\nORIGINAL POST: Seattle police are reporting three gunshots were fired near NE 45th St and 15th Ave NE. There may be two suspects involved. One is described as a male, 5-foot-9 with a thin build, wearing a red sweatshirt, the other is described as male, 5-foot-8, in his 20s, with a thin build with a pink hoodie. Possible running southbound on 15th Ave. NE.\n\nThe shots may have been directed toward an unhoused person. There is no report on any injuries that may have been sustained.\n\nMore information will be provided here as it becomes available.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://emergency.uw.edu/2026/01/21/shots-fired-near-45th-15th/",
      "sourceDescription": "UW Alert official update",
      "annotations": [
        "Transcribed from official emergency updates archive page body.",
        "Confirmed-verbatim recovery from live institutional source."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1900,
      "confidence": "high"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Official UW Alert update archive entry for University of Washington.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official emergency updates page preserves complete multi-update alert text."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "official-archive",
      "title": "Shots fired near 45th & 15th",
      "url": "https://emergency.uw.edu/2026/01/21/shots-fired-near-45th-15th/",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "washington",
    "uw",
    "uw-alert",
    "active-threat"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}