Unresolved Shooting at Seattle’s CHOP Zone

Antonio Mays Sr. holds a picture of himself and his son, Antonio Mays Jr., in court during a December 2025 session at King County Courthouse in Seattle. On June 29, 2020, protesters tracking a stolen Jeep at Seattle’s CHOP zone faced panic and chaos. This encampment in Cal Anderson Park emerged after police left due to protests over George Floyd’s murder, allowing activists to occupy the area for nearly a month. Fear spread one night when the Jeep’s erratic driving amplified paranoia amid previous violent incidents.

Formation and Demands in CHOP

Born from racial justice protests, CHOP became a hub of continuous demonstrations, evolving into a makeshift community with movie nights and speeches. However, persistent fear led to armed voluntary security, ready to respond to any threat. Live broadcasts captured moments of escalating tension and violence when the Jeep entered the premises, sparking an immediate armed reaction from the protest’s security force.

Shooting Incident and Unsolved Case

Less than 10 minutes after alleged shots from the Jeep, armed individuals guarding CHOP fired at its occupants, killing Antonio Mays Jr., 16, and critically injuring Robert West, 14. Another teenager, hit by gunfire, fled and disappeared. Despite surveillance footage and citizen journalist recordings, the case remains unresolved with no arrests or charges. Popular belief held that the occupants attacked protesters, causing the response in self-defense. Years of investigations reveal contradictions, with no evidence of shots fired by those in the Jeep.

Antonio Mays Jr.’s Arrival and Final Days

Antonio Jr. left Southern California to engage in racial justice protests without a known network in Seattle, driven by aspirations for a better future for his sister. He joined the movement at CHOP, addressing protest leaders and crowds in speeches captured in journals and media. Tragically, three days later, his life ended amidst confusion over the stolen Jeep’s involvement in the protest.

The Chaotic Night

Security footage illustrates the Jeep’s confrontation with other vehicles and residents’ panic amid intermittent gunfire. Occupants from a Nissan Pathfinder fired at the Jeep, contradicting initial reports of aggression from the Jeep itself. These events stimulated defensive measures at CHOP, with protest security protocols leading to physical retaliation against perceived threats.

Aftermath and Silenced Evidence

Following the shooting, medical volunteers attempted to treat the Jeep’s occupants under confusion regarding external aid, delaying critical care. Video evidence displaying tampered crime scenes emerged, complicating investigations despite forensic efforts. Protesters maintained awareness of circumstances, yet many remained silent or withheld insight from official inquiries into the shooting.

Unanswered Questions and Call for Witnesses

Sustained mystery over Antonio Jr.’s death spurs calls from law enforcement for testimonial cooperation, appealing to witnesses within the CHOP area. These efforts aim to unearth facts concealed by reluctance and fear within the protest community. Despite advances, key leads have yet to emerge, leaving closure elusive for all affected parties.

This account integrates collaborative findings from multimedia sources, fostering transparency while acknowledging limitations in official narrative reconstruction. The compiled details contribute to ongoing debates surrounding the event while reframing perspectives toward resolving the tragic yet profound incident.