Antonio Mays Sr. brought a picture of himself and his son, Antonio Mays Jr., to the Superior Court at the King County Courthouse in Seattle on December 10, 2025. This was captured by Ellen M. Banner of The Seattle Times. As tensions escalated among protesters at an encampment in Seattle on June 29, 2020, a white Jeep was spotted driving erratically. This incident occurred around Cal Anderson Park, where the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) zone had been established.
CHOP was developed after Seattle police left a precinct in response to protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder. Protesters used the area to hold movie nights, speeches, and mutual aid stations. However, by nightfall, fears of violence disrupted this makeshift community. A visible scene of distress unfolded as this vehicle came close to a tent, causing anxiety among the residents.
“There’s shots, shots fired, I think,”exclaimed a livestreamer who captured the quick succession of events that filled the air that night in a live broadcast.
Another video confirmed gunshots as the seemingly chaotic scenario persisted. Shortly after, armed individuals from within the protest zone acted without police intervention, shooting at the Jeep’s occupants. Tragically, 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. was killed. Robert West, aged 14, suffered critical injuries, while another unidentified teenager was grazed by a bullet and vanished into the night. Colby Williams, a protester, underscored the chaos, stating there was no shock in the reciprocation of gunfire.
Despite many recordings and social media narratives portraying this scene as a defensive act by protesters, six years on, Antonio Jr.’s death remains unsolved. In cooperation with media outlets, a detailed investigation explored numerous videos, yet no conclusive evidence has led to arrests or suspects. Seattle police acknowledge the case’s active status without divulging further details.
Antonio Jr., a teenager with a passion for fantasy novels and hip-hop, left his Southern California home shortly after George Floyd’s death to join protests. Wishing for a better world for his sister, he wrote to his father about his journey:
“I am not running from home. I am fighting for a cause. One day I want my sister to live in a world where her skin won’t be the cause of any pain for her, physically or emotionally.”
Upon reaching Seattle, Antonio Jr. stood among protest leaders, speaking out against police practices. A video from 2020 confirms this. Three days later, he was dead. It remains unclear if he had involvement in the Jeep’s theft. Yet the crowd was anxious when recognizing that vehicle’s presence near CHOP.
Moments of Panic
Shortly before 3 a.m., a security camera documented the Jeep as it left the park. It narrowly avoided an SUV used by a medic who reversed swiftly. A Nissan Pathfinder then fired at the Jeep. Subsequent examination by forensic analysts revealed no gunshots originated from the Jeep; shots were only fired at it.
The chaotic panic was visible as the verbal commands echoed amidst the protestors:
- “Everybody down, everybody down!”
- “Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up!”
- “Security, eyes up. We’re looking for a stolen Jeep, multiple shots fired.”
The Jeep circled back, eventually crashing into a barricade under heavy fire. Witnesses later recounted direct shots at close range. Despite initial panic, later claims of aggression from the Jeep have shown no evidence, neither firearms inside the vehicle nor corresponding gunfire.
Aftermath and Investigation
Minutes after the shooting, volunteers pulled the injured from the Jeep, attempting first aid. Robert West was taken to a hospital, yet Antonio’s trip was delayed due to miscommunications with an emergency ambulance. His subsequent death complicated matters further.
At the scene, bullet riddled interiors were met with instructions from some to hide evidence:
“Pick those up and pocket ’em, take ’em home,”was heard regarding spent shells.
The lack of immediate police presence allowed amateur handling of potential evidence. Later in the morning, authorities noted the scene was compromised, hindering investigations.
Continuing Mystery
Investigators have yet to uncover evidence leading to arrests in Antonio Jr.’s shooting. Surveillance systems within the precinct captured details yet remain undisclosed. Calls for community members and witnesses to step forward still resonate amid ongoing inquiries.
Antonio Jr.’s case highlights distressing events surrounding CHOP and the juxtaposition of activism and tragedy. Despite extensive investigations and media coverage, justice for Antonio Mays Jr. remains unresolved.