Unresolved Tragedy at CHOP: The Death of Antonio Mays Jr.

On June 29, 2020, at a protest encampment in Seattle called the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP), chaos ensued. It was around 3 a.m. when demonstrators tracked a stolen white Jeep driving erratically. The area had been occupied for 23 days after Seattle police vacated a precinct following mass protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder. Protesters camped in Cal Anderson Park, holding movie nights, and speeches, and setting up aid stations.

Suddenly, gunfire was reported by protester Diaz Love’s livestream. In the tense atmosphere, people in the white Jeep were perceived as a threat. Armed individuals within CHOP responded by shooting all three occupants of the Jeep. Antonio Mays Jr., 16, was killed, and Robert West, 14, critically injured. A third teenager escaped with minor injuries. Colby Williams, a protester, expressed a common belief that the occupants initiated the attack.

Video footage captured the tragic sequence yet the case saw no resolutions. An investigation by The Seattle Times and NPR reviewed numerous videos which revealed the chaotic events of that night. Despite the efforts, Antonio’s death remains unsolved six years on, with no arrests or charges.

A Journey to Seattle

Antonio Mays Jr. traveled to Seattle from Southern California on June 23, 2020, driven by the racial justice movement. Before departing, he reassured his father in a note that his actions aimed to ensure a better future for his sister. While his mode of arrival in Seattle is unclear, he surfaced at CHOP days later, speaking to crowds, including a city official, about the need for proper police supervision.

Three days post-speech, Antonio died amid misconceptions of threats posed by him and others in the stolen Jeep. Videos captured desperate livestream calls, warning of a stolen vehicle and discharging firearms. The Jeep was fired upon by individuals inside a Nissan Pathfinder, a moment captured by security footage.

Panic at the Barricades

As the white Jeep made its way back to CHOP, the ensuing panic led to more gunfire. The vehicle crashed multiple times before shots, reportedly at close range, were fired by people protecting the zone. Observers described someone firing into the car after the crash. A foundational narrative — that the teenagers were aggressors — remains widely believed among protesters, despite a lack of concrete evidence.

Investigative findings noted that no weapons or ammunition were found in possession of the teenagers or inside the Jeep. Similarly, the city’s forensic analysis identified no gunfire originating from the vehicle itself.

Aftermath and Investigation

The scene of the shooting was chaotic. Videos from various sources show people congregating around the bullet-ridden Jeep shortly after the incident. Volunteer medics attempted to treat the wounded. Amidst the confusion, Antonio was delayed in reaching the hospital — partially due to the ambulance’s hesitation navigated by conflicting information.

In the hours following the shooting, efforts to secure crucial evidence were hampered. Footage showcases individuals, including livestreamer Ashley Dorelus, discussing the disposal of evidence like shell casings. Police eventually arrived on scene hours later to find the crime scene compromised.

Police surveillance cameras at the scene, which recorded valuable footage that could clarify the night’s events, have not been publicly disclosed. With minimal cooperative witnesses, the case remains stagnant, as emphasized by former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. He urged the community’s participation for clarity and justice.

Six years later, Antonio Mays Jr.’s death remains a pivotal unsolved case from CHOP. Despite media investigations and ongoing police analysis, the mystery surrounding that night endures, and calls for accountability continue.