A 21-year-old man was critically injured after being shot three times while attempting to prevent a robbery in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood on September 6. The incident occurred during an illegal street takeover, according to the victim's family.
Matthew Lanske and his friends had finished dinner when they encountered the street takeover. As they crossed the street, an individual and two women attempted to rob Lanske's friend, Isaac Elijah Rios, 20, at gunpoint. Lanske intervened, trying to disarm the assailant, and was shot twice in the stomach and once in the pelvis, which shattered the bone and struck a major artery.
His sister, Rebecca Garberding, stated that Lanske ran about a block away to seek help while other friends remained with Rios and called 911. Lanske's mother, Shanda Barney, recounted that her son walked two blocks while bleeding heavily, trying to find assistance. He reportedly attempted to enter a 7-Eleven for help, but was denied entry, with bystanders filming his condition instead of offering aid.
Lanske was eventually found by officers and transported to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He remained on life support for two days before undergoing additional surgery. Upon waking, he learned that Rios had died from his injuries.
Rios was found on the sidewalk and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where he later succumbed to his wounds. Friends described the scene as gut-wrenching. Christian Devera, a friend, stated he was on the phone with 911 when he found Rios, noting a significant delay in emergency services' arrival.
Rios' family remembered him as a skilled football player known for his encouraging nature, who worked as an electrician at Boeing and enjoyed skiing. He was described as a kind, loving, and gentle individual with a heart of gold who never hesitated to help others.
Lanske is still recovering and may be months away from returning to his construction job. His family is raising funds for his recovery, while a separate fundraiser has been established for Rios' funeral expenses. Both families are appealing to the public for information that could lead to an arrest, with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound offering a reward for information.
