SEATTLE — A gas station attendant shot to death outside Seattle Center early Tuesday was identified by his family as Graeme Dobbeck, 36, manager of the 76 gas station for more than two years. Police said the gunman bought a drink before shooting Dobbeck and left without taking anything. Employee shot dead inside gas station convenience store near Seattle Center. Dobbeck’s family said he considered the station “his space” and that the staff loved him. He worked seven days a week, sometimes bringing lunch to coworkers who couldn’t leave the building and taking care of customers upset by people at the pumps. “That’s who he was. You can’t talk to him without thinking. He’s very interesting. He’s a little quirky and he has a heart of gold. And that’s my son,” Dobbeck’s father Ben said, “It was his space. You know he had days off. He came in every day. On Saturdays he brought lunch to the staff.” Dobbeck’s stepmother Pam said: “He was just that kindness and love that was always there.” They described him as kind and funny, and said they were baffled by his murder. Ben said he is desperate for answers since investigators have not said whether the shooting was random or targeted. “Why target that person, right?” Said. Seattle Fire Department medics were dispatched to Station 76 at Denny Way and Broad Street at 5:52 a.m. for a “scene of violence” call. Dobbeck was pronounced dead at the scene. “At approximately 5:51 a.m., a 911 dispatcher received a call of a person here at Station 76 who had died. They saw a large man dressed all in black, walked into the store, purchased an item, then went behind the counter and shot the employee,” said Seattle Police Officer Brian Pritchard. A glass barrier separated the counter from the store, but a door was open, Pritchard said. Police said the videos investigators reviewed showed no signs of a fight or robbery. They don’t know if the shooting was random or targeted, how many times Dobbeck was shot or what type of weapon was used. There are no suspects in custody. The suspect drove away shortly after the shooting, according to police. Investigators aren’t sure if he walked around the corner and got into a car. “We want to get this person off the street,” Pritchard said. “A person coming in, purchasing an item and then shooting the employee, that can be pretty scary.” The shooting occurred near Seattle Center, 11 weeks and two days after the deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival. The family said they had recent shootings in Seattle on their minds, including the one at the Bite of Seattle food festival, where three people were killed and four others were injured. Ben said his son had expressed concern about the area. “I just had a nervous feeling about the area and felt like I really needed to be safer,” Ben said. When asked if Dobbeck was worried that someone might shoot him, Ben responded: “No, nothing like that.” Some residents said they were concerned about safety in the area. “We want the city to be a safer place where families can come and go as they please,” said Varun Chadha, who lives in Belltown. Breinn Bertrand, who lives a few blocks from the scene of the shooting, told KOMO News she would welcome more action from city leaders. “Absolutely. I don’t really know what the solution would be, but I’m open to any and all options,” Bertrand said. “We’re definitely considering moving, if that says anything.” When asked about residents’ safety concerns, Mayor Katie Wilson said public safety is a high priority for her administration. His budget proposal includes funding to hire 66 officers in 2027. Wilson said he wants the results of an audit before deciding whether to expand the city’s surveillance camera system. A co-worker of Dobbeck’s, who was too shaken to appear on camera, told KOMO News that he was his manager and described him as “a great boss,” supportive and resourceful. She said he replaced her around 5 a.m., about 50 minutes before she was shot. “My boss was killed an hour after I left,” he said. “I don’t understand who would have wanted to do this to him.” The coworker said she would have closed the door behind the counter. When asked why it had been unlocked, she said: “I guess because I’m a little more paranoid than him.” Acting Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles was at the scene. Detectives and a crime scene investigation unit were still working at the station Tuesday afternoon. A department spokesperson said the SPD Video Unit was reviewing footage with homicide detectives; Police had not released additional information about a suspect. Police are asking anyone with information or video from Denny Way and Broad Street between 5 and 6 a.m. Tuesday to call SPD’s violent crime tip line at 206-233-5000.
