WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire reported east of Fairmount Park

We’ve heard from multiple people in the past hour who reported suspected gunfire east of Fairmount Park, near 36th/37th/Brandon. 911 is reported to have received multiple calls, and police were sent to investigate; we haven’t heard yet if they found evidence of gunfire – casings and/or property damage – but so far, no victims are reported. One person tells us a neighbor reported seeing gunfire exchanged between people in two cars.

17 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire reported east of Fairmount Park"

  • Oakley34 May 11, 2017 (11:29 pm)

    I heard maybe six pops at sometime during the 10oclock hour at 35th between Graham and Raymond (in front of the construction).  Looked out my window and saw a grey/tan/silver? sedan stopped in the middle of the road with what looked like smoke coming from the window.  The car slowly drove off a few seconds later North towards Brandon.  It didn’t sound like gunshots to me (though I’m not sure I’d be able to tell) and I thought maybe shooting fireworks out the window.  Some time later I saw some neighbors out the window looking to me as if they were looking for casings.

  • Wsgal May 12, 2017 (6:28 am)

    I’m 36th and Juneau and there is no question it was gunshots, it sounded like it was in my backyard. All the neighbors say the same. Goodtimes.

  • Junction Lady May 12, 2017 (8:20 am)

    Unacceptable and horrifying that shootings are becoming commonplace.  If we are not outraged by shootings on the streets of west seattle, our future is grim…sad, alarming and pathetic.


    • wsgal May 12, 2017 (9:19 am)

      It is disgusting but how do you stop it?

  • WSdude May 12, 2017 (10:02 am)

    Whoever called the police and told them it was around 36/37th and Brandon in your initial report sent police on a wild goose chase.  I live on 36TH and it definitely came from 35th and graham.  I was outside when it happen and knew exactly where it came from.  Did not hear or see any cars speed away though. 

    • WSB May 12, 2017 (10:35 am)

      Six people on their block reported it, they told us. So perhaps it was a different burst, or two locations for the same rolling gunbattle – I haven’t found an incident number yet so following up is a challenge thus far. (If anyone knows casings were found in their neighborhood, please let us know.) One person even told us via Twitter they had heard gunfire in the same time frame just south of The Junction.

      ** Also I should add, police repeat over and over again ***they want to hear from you even if you don’t know exactly where the gunfire happened*** The more reports they get of where it was heard, the better they can try to track it down. Not just to find casings, but in some cases, this is the kind of thing that leads them to a victim who can’t make the call for her/himself. (And after you have called 911, we appreciate knowing so that we can post something like this that’s visible to all on the open Web.)

    • wsgal May 12, 2017 (11:54 am)

      I live on 36th and Juneau and it sounded like it was in my backyard so, WSDUDE, don’t assume anyone was making up stories, we just called and gave what information we had and someone DID SEE a car shooting at 36th, the police told me to my face when they were standing at my door after they checked my yard. Brown sedan. Did you call the police?

      • Oakley34 May 12, 2017 (4:28 pm)

        I did not call because at first I wasn’t sure (still am not) that it was gunshots.  I also had such a poor look at the car that I wouldn’t really have much of a description, and I didn’t see the initial report on WSB or my neighbors looking for casings until quite a while (I’d estimate 45 min-hour) had passed.  I do feel bad about not calling.  I think about the fact that I am very very often right there on the sidewalk at that time taking my dog out (and that others are as well).  I will be more vigilant to this sort of stuff and be quicker to communicate to 911 (ie erring on the side of caution as to whether or not something is gunshots before calling).  

  • Ric May 12, 2017 (11:42 am)

    Welcome to the new Wild West (Seattle).

  • Steve May 12, 2017 (12:04 pm)

    I’m sure the wild goose chase wasn’t intentional.  We live on 30th and Othello and thought it happened right in front of our house, that’s how close it sounded.   I actually looked around outside this morning for evidence.  It’s scary.

  • LRWS May 12, 2017 (3:02 pm)

    We’re at 35th between Raymond and Graham and there is no doubt there were 8-9 shots at 10:15pm right outside. My other half is a combat veteran and former sniper and police trainer – he knows how to place gunfire! Wonder if there were multiple incidences around the same time. NOT ok!

  • CamperFan May 12, 2017 (4:10 pm)

    We’re at 36th between Juneau & Raymond. Heard 9 shots, sounded like they were coming from the southeast direction. WSB – do the police still want people to call them about this incident? if so, what # do we use? thanks. 

    • WSB May 12, 2017 (4:22 pm)

      Hi – the most important time to call about possible gunfire is right after you hear it. I just finally found a # for this on the 911 map, not the reports map, and can’t reach SPD public affairs, so I can’t find the status – but for the record, it appears to be incident 2017-166239.

      • CamperFan May 12, 2017 (7:40 pm)

        Thank you!

  • Steve May 12, 2017 (7:13 pm)

    It’s a good thing the city council and the mayor are on top of all these shootings!

  • Chelsea May 13, 2017 (9:26 am)

    My roommates were in the car behind the shooter and target.  They saw what happened… the shooter pulled up next to the target and fired five shots at the driver side.  The shooter took off and turned down Grahamn headed east. The target swerved across traffic then turned down Raymond headed east.  They reported what they saw to the police immediately.  The police said that they believe the incident to be gang related. 

    • andy May 13, 2017 (9:52 am)

      Seattle officials have made the SPD’s job of dealing with gang violence more difficult by sicing the DOJ on them. That is a fact, in spite of their reluctance to acknowledge it.

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