Update: South Delridge vigil draws brief police, helicopter attention

(Added 8:11 pm: WSB photo)
7:44 PM: We were headed toward South Delridge to check out reports of a large gathering, possibly a vigil, when we started getting texts about Guardian One in the same area. They’ve just tweeted that they “assisted Seattle PD with a large crowd disturbance north of White Center.” That’s all we know so far – trying to find out more.

ADDED 7:46 PM: We’ve found the gathering, at 17th/Henderson. It’s a vigil for someone who died – not in West Seattle – within the past few days; apparently his family lives in the area.

8:11 PM: Still can’t find more information about the subject of the vigil, but we did reach Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams to ask why police were there. He said that they had a report of a large crowd with a fight breaking out, but: “When officers arrived they found no disturbance and no one in the crowd reported that there had been one.”

9 Replies to "Update: South Delridge vigil draws brief police, helicopter attention"

  • sophista-tiki January 23, 2015 (4:11 am)

    Really? for THIS they bring out the helicopter?! sigh

  • Sally January 23, 2015 (7:39 am)

    If you don’t assist the police when they come looking to help out, you don’t get to criticize them for not helping when you want them to.

  • Highland Park Parent January 23, 2015 (7:55 am)

    I was driving down Henderson when I saw a large group of people in the road in a large circle/crowd and it looked like a big gang fight. I turned down 18th Ave as Henderson at 17th was blocked! I called 911. I had no idea what there was a vigil… Why would peaceful people mourning someone block traffic on a main road? Why wouldn’t people call 911 when something like this is happening in their neighborhood?

    • WSB January 23, 2015 (8:13 am)

      Regarding the helicopter, I didn’t hear the initial radio call, but sometimes it’s just in the area, hears a police call, and asks if it can help. About a week ago, we noted this when there was a Highland Park burglary alarm that didn’t pan out. According to the @kcsoairsupport Twitter feed, they had previously been on a call in the south county. So they weren’t just “called in” to check this out. Meantime, I wish I knew more about who this vigil had been for; one person sent us a social-media screen grab about an accidental death of someone with West Seattle ties but despite copious searching, I could not find anything suggesting a link to this; I have one more person to ask and then unless somebody reading this knows (you’re welcome to e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com if you don’t want to comment) I have to close the case and move on – TR

  • motormike January 23, 2015 (8:56 am)

    There were 30-40 people gathered in an unusual way, neighbors were concerned. The street was blocked, alcohol, weed, and shouting. Thank you to who ever called 911.

  • garden_nymph January 23, 2015 (10:04 am)

    Thank you Sally, I agree completely! I’m so very tired of the police bashing these days. Let’s not forget folks that in a COMMUNITY we all help each other. That includes helping the police. Heck, a comment on the WSB helped tip the police to catch the murderer of Hokum Jeebs! “If you see something, say something” = call 911. Great job to those who called the police.

  • John January 23, 2015 (11:20 am)

    It’s very easy for someone who’s grown up with a positive police experience to completely ignore all of the systemic injustices perpetrated by the police. It’s easy to pick a single officer and say “hey, she’s great!” and she probably is. But if your experience with police is watching them kill children, I wouldn’t talk to the police either.

    And in Seattle specifically, the Justice Department didn’t just blindly step in and decide there was a pattern of abuse. It’s certainly worth pondering next time you’re “tired of the police bashing.”

  • An Westseattle Kid January 23, 2015 (7:00 pm)

    Rest In Heaven Issiah…. YungSneek2ce

  • newnative January 24, 2015 (3:36 pm)

    I am also curious as to what was going on to resemble a “gang fight”, when no such thing was actually occurring.

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