Tuesday, December 20, 2005

One question about the Seattle Center suicides

Sure, there are bigger questions for the families or friends or witnesses. But from our perspective, we've got to ask just one -- why the Seattle Center? Is it becuase the venue is the last warm, free, public place in the city? It would be sad to see the place changed because of this. While the lame carnival rides are an embarrassment, the eclectic mix of entertainment and mall food inside the Center has created an oddly charming gathering place.

2 public suicides at Seattle Center called unusual
By Sara Jean Green
Seattle Times staff reporter
Seattle Center officials say two recent suicides in the Center House are unfortunate, but they concede there's little they can do to prevent such a thing from happening again.

Counselors have been made available to Seattle Center employees who may have witnessed the most recent suicide, which occurred Friday when an 84-year-old homeless man shot himself at the end of an evening jazz performance. The King County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday identified the man as Forest David Howe.

--j

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