With a community meeting at Alki’s Bamboo Bar and Grill less than two hours away, charges have been filed against the man arrested in connection with the fight and shooting outside Bamboo early Sunday (previous WSB coverage here and here). 27-year-old Michael Helmer of Kent is now charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree assault – the former for shooting one man, the latter for attacking another. The court documents include the full narrative of what police believe happened – we will add that to this story shortly. (WSB photo from early Sunday)
UPDATED 4:32 PM: The full narrative, minus the names of witnesses and victims, is ahead:
On 8/19/12 at approximately 0115 hours (victim 1, age 30) was outside of the Bamboo Bar, 2806 Alki Avenue SW, when he was attacked by two unknown males. (He) ended up on the ground while Helmer and an unidentified suspect repeatedly kicked (him) in the head. (Victim 2) was also outside of the bar when the assault began. He stepped in and attempted to separate the suspects from (victim 1). At that time Helmer pulled out a pistol and pointed it in the direction of (victim 2). Helmer fired the pistol once, striking (victim 2) in the left upper arm. Helmer and the unidentified suspect immediately left the scene. Helmer was seen running eastbound on the beach. (Witness 1) witnessed the assault and saw Helmer with the pistol. (Witness 1) got into his vehicle and followed Helmer as he ran from the scene. (Witness 1) called 911 immediately and gave updates to the dispatcher as he followed Helmer. (Witness 1) observed Helmer take off his green and blue colored shirt and then walk up to the sidewalk near 54th Ave SW and Alki. (Witness 1) then saw Helmer place the shirt under a maroon colored SUV that was parked on the street. Helmer then walked to a bench and sat down. Once officers arrived in the area … (witness 1) waved them down and pointed out the suspect as well as the vehicle where Helmer had placed his shirt …
The narrative continues:
Officers took Helmer into custody without incident. Helmer had an empty leather holster clipped to the inside of his shorts’ waistband. Officers also recovered a 9mm Makarov semi-auto pistol loaded with eight 9mm rounds. The pistol was wrapped inside of a green Seahawks #12 jersey that was resting on top of the right rear tire of a parked (unoccupied) Dodge Durango. Officers recovered a single fired cartridge casing at the scene of the shooting. The fired casing was of the same caliber as the rounds found in the Makarov semi-auto pistol.
During the subsequent followup investigation, I contacted (victim 2) and (victim 1) and obtained statements from both. (Victim 2) had been shot in the upper left arm. The bullet traveled through the arm and into his chest. (Victim 2) was advised by Harborview medical staff that removal of the bullet would create a substantial risk to (his) health. (Victim 1) was also treated at Harborview Medical Center and suffered from a concussion, multiple lacerations, stitches to his right elbow, and swelling to his face.
According to the court document requesting that bail for Helmer remain at $150,000, that bullet is now “lodged near (the shooting victim’s) heart.” That document also says that Helmer “has known criminal convictions for Minor in Possession (2004, 2005), Attempted Vehicular Assault (2005), Reckless Driving (2005), Driving Under the Influence (2005) and Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit (2008).”
Helmer is scheduled for arraignment – appearing in court to answer the charges – on September 5th.
| 22 COMMENTS