Update: Fight turns to shooting on north side of Lincoln Park

11:53 PM: There are reports of one victim and possibly one arrest. 47th and Fontanelle (map). 12:13 AM: Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene. They say two men were fighting. It escalated to shooting. 1 man was shot in the arm. Both have gone to the hospital (the second for beating injuries). 12:42 AM: See comments for additional info from people who live nearby. Adding photos from Christopher – showing that the scene was right at the north end of the park.

Christopher also reports that police told him the two men involved – estimated to be in their 30s – knew each other. Police also reported finding the gun, and “other belongings,” taking them as evidence.

ADDED 7:46 AM: Police have published this summary on SPD Blotter:

On July 1st, shortly after 11:00 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to reports of shots fired in the north end of Lincoln Park (near the 7300 Block of 47th Avenue SW). Officers arrived and located two men. One was attempting to hold down the other. After separating and detaining both men, officers learned that the two were together in the park when they began arguing. At some point the argument became physical, and the two began fighting. During the fight, the 35 year old suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several times, striking the 32 year old victim in his left arm. The Seattle Fire Department responded to treat the injuries to both men (suspect had been struck in the face several times during the altercation and had difficulty breathing). Both men were then transported to the hospital for additional treatment. The injuries are not considered life-threatening. AFter receiving treatment for his injuries, the suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault. Detectives will follow up with the investigation.

36 Replies to "Update: Fight turns to shooting on north side of Lincoln Park"

  • Jon July 2, 2010 (12:00 am)

    I put a few pics up on http://www.tittr.com

  • Gia July 2, 2010 (12:04 am)

    Was told by Seattle fire dpt. That one man was shot and taken to hospital. The shooter was detained. I live a few blocks away and heard the shot. So loud, like a shotgun. Scary…

  • Gia July 2, 2010 (12:10 am)

    One man shot and on man detained according to Seattle fire deparent. I live a few blocks away and heard the shot. Loud like a shotgun. Down in the park. This is scary. This is our home….

  • Mookie July 2, 2010 (12:12 am)

    Around 11:10, SPD got call of man in/near Lincoln Park yelling that he’d been shot, as other calls came in about hearing several gun shots. Massive quick response, SPD put one guy in custody and the gunshot victim (male, mid-20’s) had one bullet wound to his left arm and was taken to Harborview. This was at far north end of park, on paved footpath entrance, at 47th SW/SW Fontanelle.

  • LP July 2, 2010 (12:21 am)

    Scary. I live a few blocks away and heard it too. There have been fireworks going off periodically all night, but it was pretty obvious that this was a firearm. Very rapid succession of at least 4 very loud shots, and it just sounded…different. Glad SPD has someone in custody!

  • sharon July 2, 2010 (6:17 am)

    I live just a few doors down and I was asleep when the rapid blasts woke me up….it did not sound like fireworks at all but very crisp and loud.The police were here in force pretty rapidly…glad arrest was made

  • wsgolfer July 2, 2010 (6:22 am)

    Yikes! Another gang initiation gone wrong, perhaps? (reference) We walk through that end of the park at least once a week. Scary.

  • velo_nut July 2, 2010 (7:23 am)

    Summer… welcome to it. (sigh)

  • bridge to somewhere July 2, 2010 (7:45 am)

    classy!

  • DOC July 2, 2010 (7:59 am)

    Live right by there and heard the shots as well. I must say the SPD rocked on this one. There were a ton of cars there in just minutes. Keep kicking @$$ and taking names SPD!

  • HolyKow July 2, 2010 (9:43 am)

    We all were lucky this time. What if they would have pointed it toward the houses right across the street!

    I have to say, when is the last time anyone saw any foot patrols in Lincoln park? I have been here for 10 years and I can say that I have frequented that park for most of those years in all seasons and I NEVER have seen ONE foot patrol.

    I have, however, picked up crack rocks, tagged drug bags and seen an uncountable number of Malt Liquor brown bags cast about the place.

    I thought that drugs and alcohol in the park were illegal…but then again, likely so was this gun that was used.

    Criminals do not care about the law. Hence the name…criminal.

    It is the largest park in Seattle and has ZERO presence on the SPD prevention beat. Only response to emergency.

    They better step it up down there or there will be more of this….

    hk

  • rs261 July 2, 2010 (10:11 am)

    Here I thought Discovery park was the largest…but I guess I shouldnt pick apart something like that.

  • discovery park was demoted? July 2, 2010 (10:14 am)

    I am glad SPD was able to respond quickly and detain the suspect. unfortunately one of the things that makes Lincoln park so beautiful also makes it better for criminals to hide easier- all of the amazing trees

  • streets July 2, 2010 (10:48 am)

    SPD doesn’t have the resources to patrol this park. The staffing levels are the same as the 70s and the mayor is freezing 21 new hires. The new online crime map shows how busy they are – http://web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx

    This sounds drug related to me. This could have been very dangerous for the people that live on the perimeter of the park. A stray bullet could have gone into a house. Thankfully not.

  • cjboffoli July 2, 2010 (11:08 am)

    The SPD cannot be everywhere at all times to prevent all crime. Patrols at midnight on random weekdays in a mostly empty park hardly seem like an efficient deployment of manpower. Something happened last night and they responded quickly in force, apprehended the people involved, and took another firearm off the streets. My opinion is that this is another instance of the SPD doing an excellent job with the staff and resources they have.

  • HolyKow July 2, 2010 (11:40 am)

    I was wrong about largest park, my fault.

    However, I am speaking more on the patrols during the day when most of the area uses that location, not at night. The park is ‘closed’ after 11PM, so it is enter at your own risk.

    If you have been down to the waterfront section during a warm summer day, you know what I am talking about. This is a great park. This park has one of the most awesome cross sections of society in our great city. however, there are always the groups of people that are inconsiderate insofaras breaking the law with open container drinking, being drunk, and the general rowdiness that ensues because of that behavior.

    I believe that on the weekends and holidays there should be a few bike patrols down there to oversee the awesomeness. That is really all I am saying. To date I have never seen one.

    And if you do not want to do that, Mayor McCheese, then you have no right to restrict personal defense practices in the parks.

    Step up police or give up the gun ban. You cannot just leave the people out to twist with no participation from the municipal side.

    Your choice.

    hk

  • Mags July 2, 2010 (12:21 pm)

    I see the homeless guys getting off the bus with their garbage bags in the evening at the North end of the park. I don’t know if these were homeless guys but it is a possibility since some of them reside in that Northern area. They are in the park all the time just like they are at Discovery and Carkeek.

  • Pete July 2, 2010 (12:52 pm)

    Once again…when you see this “illegal” activity what do you do? Do you call 911? Do you intervene and try to prevent it from happening? Do you report it to anyone? Or do you just sit back and gripe about and wait for someone else to do something. It is OUR community and OUR responsibility to make sure it is what we want it to be. AND that starts with everyone taking some responsibility and not always relying on others.

    • WSB July 2, 2010 (12:56 pm)

      Interesting thing is that I heard the exact same exhortation – which we have heard Seattle Police repeat time and time again, and we have published/reiterated it time and time again – from King County Sheriff’s Office leaders last night at a White Center meeting we covered for White Center Now. Someone talked about illegal activity near her home – and the sheriff’s captain & major in attendance said, you know, we hear about this a lot, then we look at our call logs and nobody’s calling us – we may not be able to get a car out, but we need to know, in order to make the best schedules, in order to argue for more staffing when it’s budget time.
      .
      So even if you don’t think you’re going to get a response, PLEASE call in. I know the same goes for SPD because we have heard them say it over and over again. If it doesn’t at least show up in their system, it doesn’t exist, and right now, as others have pointed out, even a plan to hire “only” 21 new officers for the entire CITY is on hold. The crime stats frankly don’t look so bad, but if that’s because the reality is worse yet few are reporting it, we’re never going to get a larger force – TR

  • HolyKow July 2, 2010 (1:26 pm)

    I assure you, when there is drunken idiocy happening when I am there with my family, there is a call 911 to report this issue as there is an active issue that requires police attention.

    However, I maintain that if they intend to have these rules and we all know that they are being violated, even a few patrols would deter this from being the issue that it is these days.

    hk

  • HolyKow July 2, 2010 (1:38 pm)

    Redacted further participation due to sudden lack of interest.

    hk

  • AnotherIdiotInWS July 2, 2010 (2:43 pm)

    Hey HK, if you are so worried, then stop going to that park. Heck, just stay home in fear while you are at it, but stop BLAMING the police. It’s not their fault that some morons decided to fight and that one of them chose to shoot a gun. Your kind of reasoning is not helping.

    Also, if you even live in West Seattle, you live in one of the lowest crime rate areas. Stop pretending this city is anything like Detroit or New Orleans.

  • Liberal Hippy July 2, 2010 (2:51 pm)

    I wonder if it would have made a difference if guns were banned in the parks?

  • sam July 2, 2010 (3:26 pm)

    “So even if you don’t think you’re going to get a response, PLEASE call in”- WSB

    does that include 4th of July fireworks? last year someone in our area was going nuts, and they weren’t really careful about how close to the houses/ trees they were. we were envisioning the (very dry last year) greenbelt going up in flames. we called 911 and the dispatcher basically laughed at us.

    • WSB July 2, 2010 (3:34 pm)

      The police have an official bulletin about it on SPD Blotter. I will go fish out the link in a min, in the middle of two breaking stories now

  • Jon July 2, 2010 (3:42 pm)

    I was there visiting my father a couple of buildings away. Here are a couple observations.

    – there were a total of 5 shots
    – the police arrived 10 to 15 minutes later
    – I walked that park 3 times during my visit and DID see an officer doing a foot patrol on one of my walks and he was walking one of the paths from the top to the bottom

  • LP July 2, 2010 (4:00 pm)

    I was at the playground last week and saw a patrol car driving through. It was the first time I’ve seen them do that.

  • sam July 2, 2010 (4:11 pm)

    oh- here is the link- they said not to call 911 about fireworks, unless of course, one went off in your face or something.

    http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2010/06/29/fourth-of-july-public-safety-message/

  • Joel July 2, 2010 (5:35 pm)

    Pete – Ever tried calling 911 about drinking in the park? They don’t care, it’s not a high priority for them. The non-emergency line is useless as well, no one ever answers that line…

  • Joey Janaparedy July 3, 2010 (4:01 am)

    I walk all through Lincoln park every evening. I carry two guns. I have a gun licence. I have carried guns in WS and in Lincoln park since i was 21 and I am 50 now. I carry two knifes, mace and a folding metal batton. If I am attacked I will use reciprical force to protect myself. You could have ten cops in the park and I guarantee that you could be killed, stabbed, robbed before the cops in the park would know anything. Cops only show up after the problem. If you are being attacked, I will not help you because you all indicated the guns are the problem and people carrying guns are the problem

  • Phil Dirt July 4, 2010 (6:22 am)

    You are right on, Joey Janaparedy. I, too, am a licensed to carry guy, age 67, and When I venture out on the street or to Lincoln Park, I’m always armed, though not quite so well as you. I usually carry only one weapon, a 9mm pistol. I made up my mind a long time ago that my pistol is only for defending my wife and I. If I’m in the park, or anywhere else, and I see someone being attacked, they are on their own. As much as I’d like to help them, I won’t for two reasons. Number one, It would probably cost me a fortune to pay some stinking lawyer. Number two, and most relevant to me is the fact that most people in this city are anti- gun and would have me thrown in the slammer, even though I’m legally armed, just for owning a gun. My gun is a tool for defending myself from criminals. The criminal thinks of a gun as a tool to help him/her commit crimes. If you folks are too dumb to understand that, then as far as I’m concerned, you deserve whatever happens to you.

  • Terrance McClarren July 4, 2010 (6:38 pm)

    @ Joey Janaparedy- 2 guns, 2 knives, a baton, and mace? It’s your right, but what are you expecting? Does all that stuff get heavy?

  • HolyKow July 7, 2010 (10:54 am)

    Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Expect the unexpected and you will have a better chance to live thru it…

    And ‘Idiot’, I am certainly not afraid, but is having an expectation of obeying posted reasonable laws no longer OK?! Why do I need to not go to the park because people are being inconsiderate to others by being drunk jerks.

    I am not blaming the cops for the shooting, as I said, after 11PM, go to the park at your own risk. But if there was a consistent police presence there during open hours, it might deter such thuggery. There can be no change in behavior without a change in stimulus.

    The guys above said it best, be ready to protect yourself at all times, because the cops are good for deterrence, the chances of you having a cop where you directly need one is almost 0%.

    There is only 1 person in this entire world that will fight 100% for me when the chips are down. Me.

    hk

  • Cheryl is mean July 16, 2010 (6:10 pm)

    OMG

  • WSB July 28, 2010 (6:37 pm)

    I’m not approving your comment, “Tony,” as it appears to wish us and/or our readers dead, which is kind of against our rules. If we reported something that you say was “90 percent wrong,” did you report that to us, as would be standard for anyone with a complaint against a news organization? I don’t recall any complaints about inaccuracies (beyond typos) any time recently. editor@westseattleblog.com any time. – Tracy (editor)

Sorry, comment time is over.