SUV smashes into E Pike self-serve kombucha taproom in chase reportedly involving human trafficking and gunfire

(Image: SOMA Kombucha with permission to CHS)

Reports of a car chase and gunfire culminated in a crash caught on security video as a SUV smashed through the front of a self-serve kombucha taproom on E Pike early Monday.

Capitol Hill’s SOMA Kombucha will remain closed after extensive damage to its storefront. The neighboring HoneyHole sandwich joint sustained some damage to its shared wall but is expected to open as usual.

A Seattle Police Department spokesperson said a report on the incident was not yet complete but CHS has learned the crash involved at least one vehicle in pursuit of the SUV before the crash and reports of gunfire.

According to East Precinct radio updates, officers arriving at the 4:19 AM crash were looking for a caller who reportedly was on his way to the hospital with some type of hand injury in a dispute involving possible human trafficking.

Police reported having at least one reported adult victim in custody and were looking for a suspect in the alleged kidnapping. A Land Rover or Range Rover was also reported to have been involved in the incident but was not the car that crashed into the building.

We do not have further information on any injuries at this point and if any evidence of shooting was located.

Seattle Fire was called to evaluate the damage in the 700 block of E Pike after the crashed vehicle was towed and found the building to be structurally sound despite the damage.

There were no injuries reported inside the businesses.

An involved vehicle was also reported towed from Summit Ave.

It is unclear if a road rage incident reported two hours later in Montlake is related. There, police were called to the area near NOAA around 6:30 AM to a report of a driver in a blue Range Rover honking, yelling threats, and trying to strike people and vehicles. That vehicle was last reported speeding away eastbound on 520.

Jean-Pierre Parent who opened the self-serve concept SOMA Kombucha on E Pike earlier this year, says he a car also once ran into his shop in Portland. That damage was much more limited and they were able to reopen quickly.

While this crash will take longer to recover from, SOMA might be able to get a boost from city funding CHS reported on as local merchants have dealt with a wave of burglaries and break-ins. Applicants can request up to $3,000 for repairs or $6,000 for security and prevention investments through the city’s $3.3 million Back to Business program.

$5 A MONTH TO HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE

Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you. Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for $5 a month — or choose your level of support