UPDATE: One person shot in North Delridge, expected to recover; witnesses tell police they suspect gang involvement

(WSB photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:12 PM: Police and medics are on the way to an apartment in the 4800 block of Delridge Way SW, where a man is reported to have a gunshot wound to the back. Officers are starting a search for a suspect or suspects last seen northbound on Delridge. Police are blocking Delridge near the scene. Updates to come.

11:34 PM UPDATE: We just arrived near the scene. Before getting here, we heard via scanner that the victim’s wound is not life-threatening, and that there might be multiple suspects who reportedly fired from outside. Delridge is reopening.

12:09 AM: No new information was available at the scene, but we’ll pursue the report in the morning and add whatever more we find.

12:37 PM: We just received the narrative from the official report. With names redacted as is SPD policy, here it is:

(The victim) was over at his friend’s house playing video games.

He went outside with (two people) to try to locate a set of car keys that he may have dropped outside.

(Those two) were on the west side of Delridge while (the victim) was on the east side of the street near (the victim’s) van. All three said that they heard shots and dropped to the ground. All three said that the shooters were three B/Ms [black males], younger, possibly in their twenties, wearing dark clothing.

(One person) said that they came out from behind 48xx Delridge (east side of the street), fired approximately 3 times, then ran off to the north and then back behind the buildings on the east side of Delridge where they were no longer in sight. (Witnesses and victim) retreated back into 48xx (west side) Delridge Way SW #A where they contacted 911 to report the shooting.

When officers arrived (the victim) walked out to Delridge where he was treated by SFD Engine 11 and Medic 32. He was transported to HMC [Harborview Medical Center] for further treatment. (The two others and a third person) all believed that this was a gang-involved shooting. They implied that they knew who had done this. (One) said that he had heard the three shooters on previous occasions yell out (gang name), but all three believed that they were associated with a (different gang). All three witnesses were shaken up and did not want to provide statements at the time of the incident. I advised that detectives would be contacting them and they would be able to tell them what had happened. … Officers were unable to locate suspects or any evidence at the scene.

18 Replies to "UPDATE: One person shot in North Delridge, expected to recover; witnesses tell police they suspect gang involvement"

  • EL November 17, 2015 (11:18 pm)

    We live in the area and heard what sounded like gunshots at 11, then sirens about 8 min later. It kind of sounded like an automatic weapon, like an AK 47 or something.

    We look forward to any updates you have!

  • Mark November 17, 2015 (11:23 pm)

    I heard the gun shots (about 4 of them) as I was walking from the bus stop at around 11:05.

  • Dan November 17, 2015 (11:24 pm)

    My wife and I live less than 100 yards away. So close it woke us up from a dead sleep. Based on the blood stains on his shirt, it looks like the guy got hit twice in the back. He walked to the ambulance under his own power so I’m hoping (praying) he’s going to be ok.

  • Tina November 17, 2015 (11:27 pm)

    We heard the gunshots, 3 of them. Scared the crap out of us, and still nervous.

  • Kate November 17, 2015 (11:35 pm)

    I live about a block away and heard the shots as I was getting ready for bed. I recognized the sound from the last shooting in this neighborhood this past summer! I heard the sirens just as I finished brushing my teeth. Peeked outside and saw multiple police/fire vehicles. Hope they catch the person responsible!

  • PP November 17, 2015 (11:38 pm)

    Heard the gun shots at home as i live super close to where it happened. Immediately lied down on the floor since its so clear and close, I am still shaking. Hope north delridge can be a safer place.

  • Noseyneighbor November 17, 2015 (11:40 pm)

    Yay. Spent the last 36 sleepless hours in two weather bound airports to get home to my own bed. 8 minutes left into my DVR episode (11:03) and 5 rapid fire shots reallllll close from the south. Oh joy, they are acting up across the street again tonight. Blah.

  • atj November 17, 2015 (11:42 pm)

    Traffic is getting thru both directions. Go slow, police and vehicles in middle lane.

  • Fix the neighborhood November 18, 2015 (12:14 am)

    Again, another shooting. Not 2 weeks go by any more for these shootings. A guy got shot. More patrols in the delridge neighborhood please.
    Sadly I live next door. This sucks.
    I feel like the ‘poor’ people don’t matter in this city but they sure do love amazon…

  • kayo November 18, 2015 (6:33 am)

    I live very close to this as well and am really upset to hear about this. I don’t remember having this many shootings in a relatively short period in the 15 years we’ve lived in our home here. (Seems like this is the 3rd or 4th incident in the last month or two?) I sure hope the victim is ok.

  • BROD November 18, 2015 (7:45 am)

    west seattle in general is getting more trouble some. super 24 incident and now this. not to mention traffic in the morning on delridge!

  • lando November 18, 2015 (8:23 am)

    It was 5 shots from a semi-automatic handgun. Just fired by the perp in rapid succession

  • Amber November 18, 2015 (8:28 am)

    Any connection to the homicide on 23rd, just off Delridge, right before Halloween?

    • WSB November 18, 2015 (9:56 am)

      Amber – no way to know if it was related to that or anything else anywhere, without the report, which I have requested.

  • lox November 18, 2015 (11:59 am)

    I would like to hear from police about how they intend to address the spike in shootings in the Delridge area over the past year. It’s crazy to me that when they actually had someone arrested and linked to the recent homicide, they actually released them. Bullets know no prejudice. Imagine all of the innocent neighbors and children sleeping nearby when these things happen. It’s frightful.

    • WSB November 18, 2015 (12:37 pm)

      Hi, that’s a great thing to bring up at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meetings – your one guaranteed chance every month to come ask police leadership publicly, or off to the side, about neighborhood concerns, recent incidents, etc. Nobody who came last night asked any questions about recent incidents, though. Anyway, I just got the narrative on this and am adding it to the story as quickly as possible – TR

  • brian November 18, 2015 (4:14 pm)

    But surely we can all agree how much more convenient it would be for lox if the chief of SPD called him/her personally and let them know what’s up, right?

  • delridgian November 18, 2015 (6:18 pm)

    What a shame with all the increased taxes and money the government is making off pot stores we all have to live with this. It is only a matter of time these thugs are going to hurt someone innocent especially with all the new development and more families moving into Delridge. Please SPD help us neighbors get proactive if you see something call 911 we can’t let these idiots ruin our lives.

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