Update: Shooting in Arbor Heights sends man to hospital

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(8:23 PM TOPLINE: 1 man shot, not life-threatening, no arrests so far, new details just added from police)

5:24 PM: We’re at SW 97th and 33rd SW in Arbor Heights (map), where a shooting was reported in the 9700 block of 33rd a short time ago. Police are said to be looking for a male suspect who got away in a red vehicle – update, a maroon Bronco. Officers are searching for evidence and talking to possible witnesses.

They believe the victim and suspect may know each other. Scanner traffic indicates the victim was shot once, 40-caliber bullet, through the hip area.

ADDED 5:56 PM: Gang unit detectives are here, though that doesn’t always mean gang activity is suspected – and some of them already have left. Lt. Von Levandowski from the Southwest Precinct has just provided more information: The victim is a man, shot while standing on the sidewalk, with shots fired by somebody in a vehicle. They now think three people were in that vehicle, which they describe as a maroon SUV (not necessarily a Bronco). Investigators have been combing the block for shell casings, trying to determine exactly which direction the shot was fired from.

6:26 PM: Nothing new. SPD media-response Det. Mark Jamieson is expected to brief media at the scene shortly.

7:06 PM: Det. Jamieson was diverted elsewhere before arriving, but via Twitter, reports that the victim and suspect did know each other, that the victim’s injury is not life-threatening, and that “gang detectives are investigating.”

8:23 PM: New information from police via SPD Blotter:

On July 16th, at about 5:10 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to the 9700 Block of 33 Avenue Southwest on a report of a shooting. An adult male who had apparently befriended the suspects the night before, met the suspects, described as two black men and a white female, outside of a residence where he was planning on purchasing some items from one of the suspects. As the victim reached for his wallet, one of the suspects pulled out a gun. There was a struggle over the weapon, and the victim was shot once in the buttocks. The suspects fled in a maroon Ford Bronco. Police and Seattle Fire responded to the scene and SFD transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center. The injury is not considered life-threatening.

Gang detectives also responded and are following up on potential leads. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

heylady July 16, 2011 (5:29 pm)

In an effort to make myself feel better, I ask … is that really Arbor Heights?

WSB July 16, 2011 (5:34 pm)

Not far south of Roxbury, not far east of 35th, has always been Arbor Heights as far as we know. – TR

heylady July 16, 2011 (5:36 pm)

Darn. Be careful out there and thanks as always for the awesome reporting.

Bonnie July 16, 2011 (5:37 pm)

Heylady, yes that is Arbor Heights. It’s not on the White Center side. Arbor Heights starts at around 31st or somewhere around there. (I believe) editing to add that it could be Westwood but I think it’s Arbor Heights on that side of Roxbury.

shed22 July 16, 2011 (5:42 pm)

Seaview’s hearing helicopters overhead.

WSB July 16, 2011 (5:54 pm)

TV doesn’t usually have choppers on the weekend, not seeing one over here.

bridge to somewhere July 16, 2011 (6:06 pm)

do the police suspect the victim knew the perps? please say they don’t think it’s random . . . i live too close for comfort here.

WSB July 16, 2011 (6:23 pm)

Bridge, I thought I had written that into the story, but initial reports did indeed indicate they don’t think it’s random.

bluerose July 16, 2011 (6:27 pm)

This is usually a really quiet street. We are shocked.

Jiggers July 16, 2011 (6:58 pm)

Everytime the weather gets up to 70, people start go crazy.

coffee July 16, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Sorry but why do we need guns???

JVC July 16, 2011 (8:09 pm)

It is Arbor Heights and it is a very quiet neighborhood. About 3 months ago, a lot of unusual activity started in the house. It seems the owner started keeping company with undesirable people. This is the results. We live across the street with a teenager and this doesn’t lend itself to a secure neighborhood yet without the recent activity is has been a great place to live. Poor choices by few create havoc for so many.

WSB July 16, 2011 (8:22 pm)

Just got some new info. Adding to the story.

justme July 16, 2011 (8:13 pm)

Police sure have their work cut out for them lately. I’m grateful they’re on the ball but sure wish our youth would value their lives more.

CMeagh July 16, 2011 (8:17 pm)

Coffee- We need guns to protect ourselves from bad people with knives.
I can almost guarantee that the shooter didn’t obtain the gun used in this shooting legally. I feel much safer knowing that there are people out there who have concealed weapons permits, and who know & practice gun safety among us. I don’t like the idea of only criminals carrying. If guns were banned, or made illegal, it wouldn’t make a difference as the criminals would still be carrying.
Maybe stiffing up penalties on illegal firearm possession would be a start.

JVC July 16, 2011 (8:21 pm)

Just me – What makes you think these were kids?

Mm July 16, 2011 (8:40 pm)

Any info on whether or not the guy who was shot lives in the area?

KM July 16, 2011 (8:50 pm)

So is it accurate to conclude from the SPD Blotter notes that at least one of the suspects lives at that residence, or is close with someone there? From the wording, it seems like the suspects and not the victim arranged the meeting place. As a neighbor on the block I’d hate to think one of the shooters live there, or are friends with people that would do this. Hopefully the police catch them very soon!

O Sweeney July 16, 2011 (9:21 pm)

Another example of the need for restrictive gun control laws.

Cait July 16, 2011 (9:43 pm)

JVC – one wonders what you mean by undesirable people.

Eric July 16, 2011 (9:55 pm)

Cait – Just because the perps were reported to be black, it doesn’t mean they are undesirable. Undesirable usually means the house on the block that holds late night parties, people come and go, and are generally detrimental to the neighborhood. On my block it happens to be some younger white “adults” but they are undesirable none the less. The idea is that if something is “going down” on my block, I’d bet good money it would be that house.

Momof3 July 16, 2011 (10:02 pm)

I can’t remember the last time I read about someone saving the day and driving the baddies away with a legally possessed firearm. I hope everyone is okay.

Alice Kuder July 16, 2011 (10:16 pm)

East of 35th and South of Roxbury is Roxbury Heights, but few people know it by that name.

laeti July 16, 2011 (10:33 pm)

It seems crime is peaking lately… I mean, so many shootings and car theft. Honestly, it seems to me there is not enough police patrolling out there. For ex, I didn’t see a single policeman in the whole admiral area on 4th of july from 9.00 to 11:30 pm, when all the fireworks gathering was happenning

WSB July 16, 2011 (10:57 pm)

Laeti, you may be referring to the city as a whole, but if you are not – just for some context: I checked our archives. This is the first time someone has been shot by another person in West Seattle since last fall, when we had a couple of high-profile cases – the Highland Park quadruple murder-suicide and the Alki man shot by police. Certainly there have been “shots fired” cases, like the 4th of July “bullet in bathroom” story from earlier this month, but this is the first actual “someone shot by someone” in West Seattle in about 10 months. – TR

sjp July 16, 2011 (10:33 pm)

Roxbury Heights is the name of the subdivision WITHIN the neighborhood of Arbor Heights. Check link from City Clerk office.
http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/nmaps/html/NN-1500S.htm

WSB July 16, 2011 (10:42 pm)

Neighborhood names are always fun to research, squabble over, etc. The City Clerk’s lines are no longer applicable in many cases – there are neighborhood names, commonly used, that they don’t even include on their maps!

Paul July 16, 2011 (10:56 pm)

oh I see it’s the guns fault

Luke July 16, 2011 (11:43 pm)

Not much detail at the moment, but shooter was caught.

WSB July 17, 2011 (12:02 am)

Thanks, Luke, we hadn’t heard that but we’re working the Admiral double stabbing right now, will check with PD but it might take them a while to confirm since that’s keeping them all tied up too … TR
- WSB July 17, 2011 (8:56 am)
  
  Update – Luke, I checked with police. Someone arrested for something somewhere last night was initially thought to possibly be the shooter in this case but turned out NOT to be, so they are still looking – TR

BMB July 17, 2011 (12:47 am)

Cait- as another neighbor in very close proximity to the house where the altercation originated, JVC means primarily that this has always been a very quiet street with very few people driving down it that do not live along it. Over the passed few months, there has been significantly increased traffic, originating from this house. I saw the vehicle that was the getaway vehicle as I was headed out to work. It was a Burgundy and Tan Bronco II – that was the compact version of the Ford Bronco that was produced for a few years in the late 80’s and early 90’s – there was a black man sitting in the back seat with no one in the driver or passenger seat and, as I looked at him, he sank down into his seat. I thought about calling it in because I have seen this sort of thing – someone just sitting in a car outside this house – a lot lately. When I was younger, I bought myriad low-level drugs and, in my experience, if you don’t know the dealer, you wait outside. On this occasion, the guys were black but I have seen numerous ethnicities represented in the “wait here” posture outside this house.

West Side champ July 17, 2011 (1:14 am)

Lived on 33rd My whole life. Its west Seattle but not arbor heights. Everyone that lives over here usually says Roxhill or Roxbury/Roxbury Heights or some say Shorewood but thats not right. I think technically it is called Arbor Heights. And some will argue its White Center that live over north on the other side of west Seattle. Its an ongoing debate.

Im so posh.... July 17, 2011 (8:27 am)

Are we wondering/ hoping its not Arbor Heights because you would like to detach yourself from my “ghetto” neighborhood? Sorry it really is Arbor Heights, get over it. It happened by you!!

Daddy July 17, 2011 (9:05 am)

Wait there was a double stabbing in west Seattle? Omg it’s time to make knives illegal!!
It was just a couple weeks ago 2 burglars were shot by home owners, one was in bremerton and the other I can’t remember. Point is, guns in my hands are only risky for criminals. The solution is NOT to outlaw guns, but put away gun offenders for a longer amount of time. People need to direct their fear and anger in the right direction. Be glad there’s homeowners out there protected, otherwise gun wielding criminals would be breaking into every house on your street and mine. As it is now, they probably only break into yours, not mine, as I have a sign on my gate that says “wife is armed and loaded, children are canabilistic, there are crosshairs on your forehead, and NO you can not use the damn phone”. Needless to say, criminals don’t usually knock on my door.

CandrewB July 17, 2011 (11:49 am)

Daddy, pretty sure it’s illegal to point your gun at someones forehead just because they happen to be on the sidewalk in front of your house (unless your gate is elsewhere). I could be wrong however.

Daddy July 17, 2011 (3:45 pm)

I didn’t say I was pointing a gun at anybodies forehead. It is a good deterrent however.

heylady July 18, 2011 (7:30 am)

Thank you to “I’m so posh” for demonstrating how easily misunderstood a few words can be.

madashell July 18, 2011 (10:17 am)

I lived on 9800 block of 32nd. It is a nice quiet neighborhood of starter homes, with a few bad apples sprinkled around. Like most neighborhoods (except Medina). Yeah, I hated it when ignoramuses (usually not Seattle natives) would presume to correct me and say I live in White Center. Look, I grew up around here, went to Roxhill, remember seeing people riding horses down Roxbury (in the 60’s).

Neighbors, do like our neighborhood does. Call police for anything suspicious: loud voices, people sitting in cars, late night shenanigans. I bought an inexpensive video camera and busted a neighbor once.

RoxburyRider206 July 21, 2011 (8:49 pm)

Im so posh needs to read comments better. West side is obviously stating that they do live in arbor heights. And why the hell would anyone think arbor heights was ghetto???????? You dont live in the ghetto POSH fyi hate to break it to ya.

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