A heart-wrenching act of violence has left the communities of Kent and Seattle in mourning after three family members—a woman, her mother, and her young niece—were shot and killed Saturday evening at an apartment complex near Meadow Crest Playground in Renton.
The victims have been identified by loved ones as Jamie Ray, known affectionately as “Loca,” her mother, and her niece, a young girl believed to be just 9 or 10 years old. Jamie, originally from Kent and most recently living in Seattle, was remembered as a vibrant soul with a kind heart and strong presence in the lives of those who knew her.
“A good heart has stopped beating, but a heart that has touched so many lives can’t help but live on,” a family friend wrote in a tribute shared on social media. “RIP Wifey Jamie ‘Loca’. RIP to your mama and last but not least, RIP to your beautiful niece, baby girl. I love you to the moon and back—until we meet again.”
According to the Renton Police Department, officers were dispatched to the area of Northeast 18th Street and Kirkland Avenue Northeast just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire. When police arrived at the scene—an apartment complex near Meadow Crest Early Learning Center and adjacent playgrounds—they found the three victims fatally shot.
Police say early evidence suggests the suspect was someone known to the victims and had been “hanging out” at the apartment before the shooting took place. While the precise relationships remain unclear, investigators believe the violence may have stemmed from a domestic incident.
Two witnesses who were also present during the shooting managed to escape and are cooperating with law enforcement. Witnesses also reported seeing a man fleeing toward nearby businesses shortly after the incident.
A K-9 unit was deployed to track the suspect, and officers have since towed a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect. However, as of Sunday evening, no arrests have been made. Police are awaiting a search warrant to further process the crime scene and continue their investigation.
Renton Police spokesperson Sgt. Craig Johnson called the shooting “a deeply disturbing and senseless act” that has shocked the community. “We’re doing everything we can to locate the individual responsible and to provide answers to this grieving family,” he said.
The playground, tennis courts, and early learning center near the crime scene have been temporarily closed as the investigation continues.
Community in Shock
News of the triple homicide has reverberated through the region, with friends and strangers alike expressing sorrow and outrage.
“Three beautiful lives gone in an instant. A little girl didn’t even get the chance to grow up. It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” one neighbor said, lighting candles at a makeshift memorial now growing outside the apartment complex.
Social media has flooded with messages of remembrance and calls for justice, with Jamie’s name quickly trending among those who knew her and her family.