West Seattle Crime Watch: Woman fights off would-be robbers

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

I wanted to report something that happened to me Friday night as I was walking on Myrtle by the playfield at 31st. It was around 11 pm and I was walking alone west on Myrtle. A red SUV (Mazda, I think) drove up 31st to Myrtle and idled at the intersection. Two young men, late teens or early 20s, slight build) got out and walked across the street and came quickly up behind me. I turned to face them and the one closest to me punched me in the face and told me to hand over my money. I fell back on the lawn of the house I was in front of and kicked out at him, screaming, “I don’t have any money, get the f— out of here! I’m calling the cops.” The two guys ran back to the car and then peeled out and turned the corner to drive south on 32nd. Although the lights were on in most of the houses and a dog started up barking, nobody came out of their house to help me. I called the police and they took down my account and escorted me home.

We asked the victim, who didn’t want to be identified, if she is physically OK; she replied, “Face hurts but he got me in the back of my jaw near my ear, so no teeth loose or anything.”

The incident number for the attack, categorized as strong-arm robbery, is in this tweet, if you have any information for police.

Julianne Farmer June 18, 2016 (6:35 am)

I am mortified, from over around 21st and Barton. HUGS

CanDo June 18, 2016 (7:53 am)

That’s horrible. I’m glad you are OK and hope those guys get caught, fast. Sending you warm healing thoughts.

WSB June 18, 2016 (8:27 am)

For those who have asked, this is the entirety of the information the victim provided – direct, unedited quote, no further description. I have a note out to her asking if now that some hours have passed, she has any more details to share, and if she does, inviting her to comment here. I do not expect to have access to the police report before Monday, if then. – TR

sc June 18, 2016 (9:20 am)

So sorry to hear of you being attacked.

Therealbigpoppa June 18, 2016 (9:55 am)

This is pathetic

why sit around an do nothing

time to start neighbor teams to fight back and take back our community

it we have to bust some lips in the processes so be it

enough is enough

Dean Fuller June 18, 2016 (10:31 am)

Arm yourself. As you discovered, police are rarely in attendance when crime occurs, and no one else is coming to help you.

Mike June 18, 2016 (11:07 am)

Ah yes, the get a gun response. Ignorance at it’s best. In the time it would take to get a gun out while being attacked, the robber will either take your gun and use it on you, you’ll shoot yourself, or you’ll be in such a freaked out emotional response that you shoot the robbers in the back killing them and then you got to jail for about 20 years for killing somebody running away. Brilliant response, Dean. I only wish even 1% of those carrying firearms had the actual training I have with firearms, maybe then we would not have so many people killing each other, themselves or having kids kill themselves or others with guns.
- Salt Spray June 18, 2016 (11:46 am)
  
  Mike, Thanks for your level headed response about “arming yourself.” Culturally we are waaay too aggressive. Turning immediately to guns is not the way to solve issues of aggression. Investing in PREVENTION (such as Southwest Youth and Family Services…swyfs.org) bears a lot more fruit than purchasing a firearm.
- CD June 18, 2016 (11:54 am)
  
  Yes, I was thinking later that I was really glad neither of us were armed. I had no control over my response. My life would have been changed forever had I killed someone because I was scared.

CD June 18, 2016 (10:57 am)

Thanks for all your warm wishes and sympathy. The one who hit me was clean cut and African American, wearing a dark hoodie. The car had WA plates but I couldn’t read it as they sped off, unfortunately.

AJP June 18, 2016 (9:18 pm)

I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m impressed by your quick-thinking. Many hugs and I hope they catch these people!

Catherine June 18, 2016 (12:23 pm)

(Filtering a sarcasic remark to Mike) Yes, arm yourself but you must take training classes (it’s called defensive handgun)and practice if you do carry. At least carry pepper spray IN HAND, ready to go. Be aware (no head phones or looking at phone).

Mike June 18, 2016 (10:05 pm)

You don’t need to filter, I can take words any day. It’s knowing people feel they are prepared with a few classes and shooting at a range, what a joke. That’s like saying you can drive F1 after taking a drivers ed course and driving around town. Until you’ve been in a life and death situation and actually know how to handle your firearm correctly and can actually hit the target you intend, you are full of hot air.

jrr June 18, 2016 (1:02 pm)

You are brave and strong. I’m so sorry no one came to help you. What a scary thing.

West June 18, 2016 (1:33 pm)

Sounds like the three that tried to mug me. After a few words from myself they took off. I’m glad your ok. This was far away in the admiral area

Double Dub Resident June 18, 2016 (1:47 pm)

There’s a lot to getting a gun besides just getting a gun. It’s a massive responsibility and anyone who thinks that they can just get one and carry has watched too much TV. And anyone who thinks they can just shoot it at a range a few times and thinks they’re ready are only fooling themselves.

Being proficient with a gun takes practice, a lot of practice.

One must not only practice and become proficient with their firearm, but also practice holster work.

People will find our very quickly how difficult being accurate with a handgun really is going to a range, and that’s when the person is calm and shooting at paper. Imagine when the person is in a dire situation with moving targets and their adrenaline racing?

And even if you do hit your intended target, that doesn’t guarantee this will stop them. Often times people shot will not continue their behavior, not because the gunshot wound incapacitated them, but because they chose to stop the behavior.

As a CCW holder myself, the best thing in this situation would be to attempt to escape this situation and/or do what the woman did and yell. Life ain’t TV and as much as these POS tick me off, pulling a Charles Bronson is not the answer. Shooting someone should be the very last last resort, not something to do because “they deserve it”.

One thing someone needs to think about too, carrying a gun, is not simply becoming proficient in using their firearm, but really understand that if you’re carrying a gun, to learn to avoid conflict of any kind or attempt to de-escalate the situation if it arises. Arguing with people or getting angry at others in traffic are serious no no‘s for people carrying as it can be much more dangerous for all parties involved. The best approach to situations of conflict is to leave the situation altogether.

For example, I had some wanna be gang banger, threaten me and he kept putting his hand under his sweatshirt as if he had a gun. I did have a gun, but instead of escalating the situation, I moved back into a position where I had cover since where I was, fleeing would have been difficult, and positioned myself so he couldn’t see I had my hand on my gun, showed him my phone in my hand and told him I was calling the police with threats of a gun, which I did. As soon as I dialed 911 he ran away.

A gun is not a tool, it is a weapon and a dangerous one and there’s a lot of responsibility carrying one.

Mike June 18, 2016 (10:07 pm)

Bingo!

Catherine June 18, 2016 (3:09 pm)

Yes Dub… Defensive handgun teaches all of those things.

Double Dub Resident June 18, 2016 (3:45 pm)

The problem Catherine is that the training and testing is not mandatory. We get tested and have to pass to legally have a license to drive a car, yet not for a CCW

Steve June 18, 2016 (7:28 pm)

The main problem is weak leadership who would rather spend millions on a failed bike share program then actively hire far more police that are desperately needed. It is pretty disgusting this happened to this lady and no word from any of the city leadership! Thanks WSB on keeping our populace updated on this crap effecting the community!

AJP June 18, 2016 (9:02 pm)

Can we post pictures here?

Catherine June 18, 2016 (9:58 pm)

Agreed Dub… My husband and I have been thru several courses at a place called Insights.They are amazing. So helpful, not intimidating. You want to keep increasing your knowledge and skills. I pass the info on whenever this subject comes up, it’s vital! Oh, we also took the pepper spray class :)

Chuck June 19, 2016 (2:17 pm)

CD, I’m very sorry this happened to you, but thrilled u were able to fight them off. I fear that this type of aggression will only escalate. @ West: if you care to share, what did you tell these thugs that changed their mind about trying u as a target? I’m guessing you have some martial art skills and/or carry. Either way, you made them second guess themselves and I applaud you.

wb June 19, 2016 (2:32 pm)

I am appalled that no one in the houses came out to help! CD I hope you heal well, both physically and mentally.

lisa June 19, 2016 (6:48 pm)

sighing about how we don’t live in the same kind of world anymore doesn’t do us any good . If your out walking anywhere these days at 11pm by yourself, you had better be armed with something! Pepper spray being a good one. I’m sorry this happened to you and I hope that God punishes them well. You don’t go through life doing things like that without somewhere down the line it catching up to you. One day the wrong person is going to witness the sick f—– and they wont be be getting up again if you know what I mean.

al June 20, 2016 (9:49 am)

I agree with WB. You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves!!! What happened to our WS community? Good for you CD for fighting back! So sorry that happened to you- sending you prayers!

janie gunnell June 20, 2016 (11:00 am)

do not walk alone at least have a dog along

LivesInWS June 20, 2016 (12:43 pm)

Brava! for fighting back!

Sick country where someone minding own business is told to not walk alone as if to blame, and the thugs get no comment, nor the cowards hiding behind doors.