Ian Lee Stawicki

Ian Lee Stawicki was born on September 16, 1971, in the United States. He lived much of his adult life in Seattle, Washington, and was described by family members as a highly private individual. According to his father, Stawicki was often withdrawn, socially isolated, and increasingly disgruntled in the years preceding the shootings.

Public records indicate that Stawicki had prior contact with law enforcement, though his criminal history was limited. Police reports referenced earlier incidents involving domestic disputes, allegations of assault, malicious mischief, and interference with domestic violence reporting. A documented 2008 police response described an incident at a residence in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, where officers found Stawicki’s girlfriend injured and distressed, alleging that he had struck her and destroyed property during an outburst. Court records, however, show that the only confirmed conviction was a 1995 case involving driving with a suspended license.

Stawicki was known to frequent Café Racer, a coffee shop and music venue in Seattle’s University District. According to witnesses and later statements from family members, he had been removed from the café on prior occasions and was known to staff as a problematic patron. Despite this, no formal restraining orders or prohibitions prevented him from returning to the premises.

In the period leading up to May 2012, Stawicki legally owned multiple firearms, including several 9mm and .45-caliber handguns. There is no evidence that he was under active criminal investigation or court supervision at the time of the shootings.

On the morning of May 30, 2012, shortly before 11:00 a.m., Ian Stawicki entered Café Racer, a popular coffee shop and music venue located in Seattle’s University District. Staff members recognized him from previous incidents and reminded him that he had been barred from the establishment. Stawicki remained inside briefly before positioning himself near the exit.

Without warning, he drew a .45-caliber handgun and shot his first victim in the back of the head. The victim’s body fell near the doorway, partially blocking an escape route. As patrons attempted to react, one individual threw a bar stool toward Stawicki, creating a momentary distraction that allowed several people to flee. Stawicki then moved further into the café and shot additional victims at close range. Police later described the shootings as execution-style. Before leaving, he took a hat from one of the victims.

Four patrons were killed inside Café Racer: Joseph “Meshuguna Joe” Albanese, age 52; Andrew “Schmootzi the Clod” Keriakedes, age 49; Kimberly Lynn Layfield, age 36; and Donald Largen, age 57. A fifth individual, café chef Leonard Meuse, age 46, was shot and wounded but survived.

Approximately thirty minutes later, Stawicki encountered 52-year-old Gloria Leonidas in a parking lot adjacent to Town Hall Seattle on First Hill. He fatally shot her and stole her black Mercedes-Benz SUV, using it to flee the area.

Law enforcement agencies launched a citywide search as schools in the surrounding neighborhoods were placed on lockdown for safety. Later that afternoon, shortly before 4:00 p.m., police located Stawicki in West Seattle. As officers closed in, he exited the vehicle and fatally shot himself on a sidewalk, bringing the shooting spree to an end.

The shootings resulted in five deaths across two locations and left one survivor seriously injured. The case concluded with Stawicki’s suicide, and no criminal trial took place.