FOLLOWUP: Murder suspect arrested in 44th/Dakota warrant operation, accused of firing deadly shots after alleged marijuana theft

(Reader photo from Thursday)
One day after King County Sheriff’s Office deputies served arrest and search warrants at a home north of The Junction, we’ve learned that one of the people arrested is a murder suspect. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the 39-year-old man is wanted in connection with a homicide near SeaTac Airport. He appeared in court this afternoon and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says bail was set at $1 million. Probable-cause documents say the case involves the shooting death of a man on October 29th. The suspect arrested in West Seattle yesterday is accused of chasing the victim and firing the deadly shots into his car, after the victim allegedly stole marijuana he was supposed to be buying from the suspect during a meetup in Burien. Prosecutors will decide early next week whether to file charges against the suspect, whose “last known address” is listed on court documents as the house where he was arrested yesterday.

mrsMartys December 4, 2015 (5:05 pm)

And some of you thought they (police) were over dressed for the occasion!!!

Wsea98116 December 4, 2015 (6:08 pm)

This same warrant operation that was met with cries of force far too extreme, and sheriffs abusing jurisdiction- resulted in capturing a suspected murderer!?!

Oh, the brutality! When will the man, leave us be!?

jt December 4, 2015 (7:30 pm)

Ahhh weed is legal now people! Why is this kind of crap still happening?

ltfd December 4, 2015 (8:11 pm)

Thank you, KCSO.

Kevin December 4, 2015 (8:48 pm)

I just read the comments from the original story. @Justin and friends….curious if you still think the police were overdressed? If you were an officer about to make an arrest on a murder charge, would you use the best personal protection available to you or would you go in a T-shirt as to not look militarized? This would require you to acknowledge that you draw conclusions without all the facts. I’m not holding my breath.

Eric December 4, 2015 (8:50 pm)

Wsea, who met this with cries of force to extreme?

Marcus m December 4, 2015 (9:16 pm)

Hey weed is legal dummies!

Please December 4, 2015 (9:19 pm)

Where are you Justin? At least admit you were wrong.

carole December 4, 2015 (10:24 pm)

Eric, see comments to the original post on this yesterday, where there was at least one post suggesting it was overkill for a “simple warrant.” Obviously not as simple as that poster presumed.

D December 5, 2015 (8:41 am)

I still think they were

D December 5, 2015 (8:45 am)

If they needed all that protection why was the public able to walk by in such obvious danger with no warning I still say overkill and will stand by that you can keep buying in to the propaganda

marty December 5, 2015 (9:10 am)

Weed may be legal, but the greedy state taxes it so high that black market sellers can still sell at a competitive price. Lowering the tax would increase legal sales and decrease illegal sales.

speakforyourself December 5, 2015 (10:22 am)

Thank you D and Marty!

Kevin December 5, 2015 (10:50 am)

@D You can think whatever you want. However, data shows that criminals are less likely to resist arrest when officers use a strong show of force. The very reason that the public can walk by during warrant service is because the risk of a violent outburst is mitigated by the “military” attire.

B December 5, 2015 (1:16 pm)

I’m ok with the equipment used. I think the real issue is with perception due to the camo.

The camo gives the perception of a military force as opposed to a police force, which understandably makes some feel uncomfortable. If they had been in black or blue, I’m curious how much less effective the ‘show of force’ would really be, and how much less the outcry over the militarization of the police force would be.

2 Much Whine December 5, 2015 (2:18 pm)

If they wear black people will say they look like ninjas. If they wear blue folks will complain that they look like they are in the Air Force. In all the photos that I have seen it appears that they are wearing olive green, not camo. Maybe I just don’t see the camo ones because it works so well. . .

Nora December 5, 2015 (3:33 pm)

Or maybe they’re wearing green because they work for the KCSO, which has green patrol uniforms, and they’re keeping with the agency color palette.

Robert December 5, 2015 (5:04 pm)

some people think it is just the cops playing ninja or army, if you were to go into a house with someone that is wanted for murder , would you rather be in a t shirt or a good set of body-armor?????? esp don’t work so bring on the armor, the alternative is roll a grenade through the door .. that is messy but very effective .. be happy the cops don’t do it the easy way..

wsea98116 December 5, 2015 (8:48 pm)

Why are some so concerned with the uniform? This is KC Sheriffs Suspected Murderer Grabber Outfit, and apparently- it works just fine. They SHOULD wear whatever outfit they deem most effective. (The considerate officers are reported to have even complimented a neighbors dog? How nice!). And they can’t notify everyone that they are going to capture the guy, because the guy might be alerted, and perhaps he doesn’t want to get got.
We really would be better served to focus on the fact that KCS investigated and captured a possibly very dangerous person, and be thankful!