West Seattle Crime Watch update: Man in custody after gunfire on 16th SW

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

12:18 PM: Seattle Police say they’re investigating reports of gunfire in the 7900 block of 16th SW (map) and that’s blocked the road from Elmgrove to Holden. We’re en route – more info to come.

12:24 PM: This is reported to have happened outside a house. No indication so far of anyone having been hurt.

12:32 PM: Again, this has blocked off part of 16th SW, and that’s causing backups, so please avoid the area TFN. There’s at least one TV helicopter in the area, and more police reinforcements are arriving. Side note: While there is no information on whether this is or isn’t related, you’ll recall the most-recent confirmed-gunfire incident in our area was nearby, 16th/Holden, two nights ago.

12:49 PM: No change in the situation but Metro has now announced that Routes 125 and 128 are routed off 16th SW – use stops north of Holden or south of Trenton. A lieutenant at the scene confirms that this started with someone firing a shot outside a house, then apparently going back inside.

1:12 PM: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis is at the scene.

1:27 PM: Police are – audibly, even from the distance that media is being kept back for safety – trying to make contact with the person they believe is in the house.

1:46 PM: Per scanner, a man has come out of the house; our crew confirms they can see a person in handcuffs.

2 PM: A lieutenant at the scene confirms to us that the suspect is in custody and has provided information that should enable them to recover the gun. No damage, no injury.

UPDATE: The suspect was booked into jail for investigation of unlawful firearm possession.

Anthony February 18, 2016 (12:46 pm)

3rd daylight shooting on and around 7-11(16th sw&Holden) my house in 2 months now, and my neighbor found 5 credit cards on there property Monday. We found the owner & found out the thief had gone to 7-11 & got $170 out on a gift card with her credit cards. Chopper is in air searching 16th ave sw north of Holden.

Bonnie February 18, 2016 (1:03 pm)

Are the schools in Shelter in Place?

W.C. Addle February 18, 2016 (1:21 pm)

Stay safe, Neighbors. Keep low, stay inside, and away from windows.

cjkallin1@yahoo.com February 18, 2016 (1:35 pm)

Can you say which house it is? By chance is it 77– 16th Ave SW?

WSB February 18, 2016 (1:40 pm)

Hi – we don’t publish specific third-party addresses in any context (even lost-pet reports) but regarding the address you had mentioned (we replaced the last two digits with dashes), we’re not close enough to see an address. Police’s original announcement of this via Twitter mentioned the 7900 block.
- cjkallin1@yahoo.com February 18, 2016 (1:47 pm)
  
  I emailed Tracy@ with my insight….

Dave February 18, 2016 (2:09 pm)

One thing after another on my street (16th) it seems. At least lately. Only having been here for about 11 months, my question is: is this this a relatively new thing? I’m not going to move away in fear or anything, but just curious.

WSB February 18, 2016 (2:13 pm)

It’s certainly been busier lately. I was just writing a followup on the gunfire from night before last, as part of a Crime Watch roundup, when this broke out. Will see if I can get it finished here shortly.
Alan February 18, 2016 (2:24 pm)

Yes, this is a pretty new thing. I take part of the blame because it all started after I told one poster to stop suggesting there was more crime on this side of 35th. Right afterwards it turned into the wild west between Myrtle and Kenyon on 16th. I can’t believe that we suddenly have multiple neighbours that have decided to shoot, so I am hoping this arrest calms things down a bit. A couple of the shootings seemed to involve one or more dealers deciding that the store parking lots are the place to meet. I don’t know what can be done to discourage that since cameras caught the one shooter and no arrest was made that I know of.
datamuse February 18, 2016 (2:25 pm)

It does seem busier, but this area’s had its issues at least as long as I’ve lived here (16 years now). I’m about six blocks east of you. One of my early memories involved getting woken up by a SWAT team early one morning, as they earnestly wished to converse with one of my neighbors…

Adam February 18, 2016 (2:15 pm)

Pretty typical for 16th and Holden. Been living at 16th and Elmgrove almost 25 years. Nothing new here folks

EML February 18, 2016 (2:20 pm)

We live on 16th, and have for 6 years. It has 100% become a destination for weird and dangerous activity, more so recently. We feel like we’re always on alert, and call in any kind of strange stuff, including cars that park/idle and wait for other cars to pull up (seemingly to pass of drugs). It really sucks to feel like the police department is reactionary to this area. We have had a break-in, packages stolen, and overall suspicious activity that makes us feel less than safe on our block. While I understand that the police can’t be everywhere at all times, and dangerous stuff is happening everywhere, there’s is certainly some kind of pattern developing on 16th that NEEDS to be addressed. I know you all feel the same way, but just had to comment as a resident – we’re so tired of it!

RC February 18, 2016 (2:52 pm)

We are pretty new to the area (been here 2 years, live just east of 16th in this area). It’s too bad that this sort of activity continues. My husband and I are just starting a family, have some great neighbors, and love the area. We are discouraged by what seems like a persistent drug trade in this region. We appreciate neighbors, police and WSB keeping an eye out for unwanted behavior so we can help build a stronger community.

willbehonest February 18, 2016 (4:10 pm)

THANK YOU, SPD!

John February 18, 2016 (4:41 pm)

I rode right through the center of this on my bike.

It’s important to recognize that 99.9999% of these situations are far far far less dangerous than people who are failing to signal as they change lanes or failing to properly head check at the intersections there.

tim February 18, 2016 (6:20 pm)

Right on John! Very true.

Nicole February 18, 2016 (8:26 pm)

We have lived on 16th for a little over 5 years now and while I do agree these sorts of things are typical of the area it does seem like it has gotten worse over the last few months. We too have considered whether to move or stay in the area but we love our neighbors and the walk to the local bar make it hard to leave. I wish there was something we could do.

Mimi February 19, 2016 (10:54 am)

I lived across the street for a couple of years; watched this young man come and go in his hot car, blaring deafening gangsta rap, but he was not too cool to wave hello. I am sad for his super-nice uncle, who owns the house and probably came home to a surprise. I hope this scare sets the nephew straight. In spite of the episodes of thug culture infiltrating our relatively normal lives, I still like this neighbourhood.

sandals&socks February 19, 2016 (2:23 pm)

Well said Mimi. I’ve lived in the area most of my life and it has always been pretty gritty. But most residents are decent working class folks. It is scary to know that there is violence like that in my neighborhood. But my risk of harm is pretty low. Since I don’t plan on buying drugs or joining a gang. I will still walk around the neighborhood and my kids will still walk to the nearby parks.

Sorry, comment time is over.