Seattle police arrest man in killing of Growler Guys taproom employee

Seattle police said they arrested a 20-year-old man Monday in connection with the killing of a taproom worker in North Seattle over the weekend.

He was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of murder. A judge set his bail at $2 million Tuesday afternoon.

Police did not immediately detail how or where they located the 20-year-old or if he has any connection with the worker, identified by owners of The Growler Guys as Quusaa Q" Margarsa. Margarsa was in his 20s and had roots in North Seattle.

A fundraiser in honor of Margarsa raised more than $50,000 in one day.

A GoFundMe with a $70,000 goal was started by one of the taproom's owners, Carol Dole, on Sunday, for Margarsa's family.

Kelly Dole, another owner, said the young man was the type of friend everybody wanted. Dole's son went to Nathan Hale High School with Margarsa, he said.

"With the devastating loss of Quusaa 'Q' Margarsa, we are raising funds to assist with funeral and memorial expenses," the fundraiser page reads. "Any donation amount is greatly appreciated in support of Q's family, during this tragic time.

A co-worker found Margarsa dead around 9 a.m. Saturday at the business in the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast. Police said he appeared to have been shot. The taproom had closed around 11 p.m. Friday.

The Doles did not immediately respond to inquiries Monday.

The King County medical examiner's office had not confirmed Margarsa's name or cause of death Monday, noting that it requires proof such as fingerprints or dental records in homicide cases.

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 11:34 PM.