Hip-hop artist fatally shot at Capitol Hill club

A night of hip-hop at the Chop Suey nightclub on Seattle's Capitol Hill was interrupted by gunfire early Sunday, leaving one performer dead and two other men injured, police said.

Someone knocked on a side door of the popular club at 1325 E. Madison St. shortly before 12:30 a.m., according to Peter Greenberg, who books Chop Suey's acts.

When one of the performers opened the door, the shooting began, Greenberg said.

A waiter at Martins Off Madison, next door to the club, said he heard the rapid gunshots.

"It was like bang, bang, bang," the waiter said.

Local hip-hop artist Joseph Michael Ryan, 24, who goes by the stage name 29-E, was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center.

Ryan's mother, Dawn Logerfo, said Seattle police told her that her son was apparently an innocent bystander in a shooting that seemed to be targeted at someone else.

Hip-hop promoter Prezwell Jackson was shot and seriously wounded. He underwent surgery at Harborview on Sunday and was reported in serious condition, said his friend, Wade Hays.

Hays said Jackson, who also goes by the name 1st Black Prez, was hosting the performances at Chop Suey.

A third man, whose identity The Times was unable to confirm, was treated at Harborview and released.

Police said they arrived within minutes of the shooting and apprehended a 25-year-old Everett man, who was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault. Police spokesman Jeff Kappel said another suspect, who may have fired the fatal shot, was still at large Sunday night.

Police provided few details of the shooting, including where in the club the shots were fired or how many people were there. They also didn't identify any of the victims.

"We were told there was some type of dispute and then shots fired," Kappel said.

David Munroe said he was working the cash register at Piecora's Pizza restaurant across from Chop Suey when he saw police pull up to the club and rush to the front entrance. Clubgoers outside the Madison Street entrance seemed unaware of the shooting, he said.

"Some people were still standing out there by a hot-dog stand while cops were swarming," he said.

Chop Suey typically has six or seven unarmed security guards for shows, Greenberg said, adding that a security guard was posted inside the hallway near the shooting. Greenberg, who arrived at the club shortly after the shooting, said the club is still gathering information about what prompted the violence.

Ryan had lived for about a year in the Seattle area, where he was pursuing a career as a hip-hop performer, his mother said from her home in Ballston Spa, N.Y.

"He loved to sing," Logerfo said. "It was a passion."

Several of his songs are posted on his MySpace site under his stage name, 29-E. Friends left messages of condolences on Sunday. On the site is an album cover titled "3,000 Miles from Home."

Ryan grew up in Gloversville, N.Y., and started singing at age 16, his mother said. The name 29-E came from his address in Gloversville, said a childhood friend, Melissa Heddy.

"Joe was the type of guy that would do anything for anyone," Heddy said. "I'm still in shock."

Ryan served two years in the Air Force, stationed in Arizona, before moving to Seattle, his mother said.

Bob Prasch, who manages Satellite Lounge a couple of blocks from Chop Suey, said the shooting puts nearby bars and clubs "on edge." "It shows how everything can get out of control quickly," he said, noting that Chop Suey has a reputation for being well-managed.

"I've never been afraid of going in there," he said. "It's just sad this happened."

Chop Suey was sold by John Villesvik last August to K's Dream, a nightclub in Chiba City, Japan. Villesvik called the shooting "wacky" and said Chop Suey historically has worked closely with the police and the liquor board.

"God knows why this (shooting) has taken place," Villesvik said.

David Heath: 206-464-2136 or dheath@seattletimes.com