SEATTLE, WA — A confrontation on Tuesday afternoon in West Seattle ended tragically when a 57-year-old woman was fatally shot after presenting a shotgun during an interaction at her home.

Seattle Police responded to reports of a shooting shortly after 1:00 p.m. in the 4400 block of Southwest Hudson Street. The investigation revealed that two individuals had arrived at the residence to serve legal paperwork to the woman. When she exited her home, she was armed with a shotgun. In response, one of the individuals, a 40-year-old male, drew a handgun and fired, striking the woman multiple times in the torso.

Officers provided immediate medical assistance until the Seattle Fire Department arrived, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene due to her injuries.

The two individuals involved in the shooting remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. All firearms involved in the incident were recovered, and no arrests were made at the time. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting, and no law enforcement agency was involved in serving the paperwork.

The Seattle Police Department has assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

This incident underscores the importance of understanding self-defense laws and the serious consequences of brandishing a firearm without justification. In this case, the 57-year-old woman confronted the process servers with a shotgun, presenting an immediate and clear threat to their lives. The man’s decision to fire in response was a lawful act of self-defense, as he was faced with a deadly weapon..