West Seattle Crime Watch: Arrests in Steve Bushaw murder

(2/1/09 photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
We have been working most of the night to try to confirm a thirdhand report we received of arrests in the murder 10 months ago of Steven Bushaw – shot to death in The Junction hours after the Super Bowl. Police have not been available for comment and the court-records system is shut down for the night, but we did find three people listed on the King County Jail Register who were booked today on suspicion of first-degree murder – and one of our messages seeking comment from family members has just been answered: Steve’s sister Tanya Bushaw confirms that they have been told of three arrests, possibly four. This might be the fourth: We just found an out-of-town news story confirming one person under arrest in Texas (with a name different from the 3 in KCJ) and a mention of three others “sought”: This story from San Antonio names a man arrested there in connection with the Bushaw murder (the victim is not mentioned by name in the story but it describes the case as a Feb. 1 murder in West Seattle). We hope to be able to talk with police and prosecutors later this morning and will publish whatever additional information becomes available. (Photo above right was provided last winter by the Bushaw family, showing Steve with niece Ava in summer 2008.) 9:18 AM UPDATE: We just spoke with Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD Media Unit. They are not yet ready this morning to release details of the case/arrests, he told me, but hope to later today – it’s still, he notes, “an active and ongoing investigation.” We’ve also checked the online court files but nothing on this is in the system yet – we have an inquiry in to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, asking for any documents that can be made public at this point. 3:19 PM: PAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe says, “The court documents are under seal because of ongoing investigation.” But he says “some more information” should be available later.

MB December 2, 2009 (12:38 am)

Awesome to hear :)

Celeste17 December 2, 2009 (12:48 am)

Can’t wait to see how this came down. Good work on behalf of the SPD. It’s been a rough year for Washington Police Departments and to have some good news is great.

The Big Dude December 2, 2009 (12:53 am)

Its about time they make some headway in this case. I do not understand why it takes almost a year for the police to find FOUR killers of a good guy from west seattle. But they can find somebody that killed four of their own in a heartbeat.

j December 2, 2009 (1:21 am)

I have been waiting for this to happen. These people who did this to my close friend deserve the worst!

Shae December 2, 2009 (1:59 am)

Thank god… I am so glad to hear this, and it couldn’t of come at a better time, I miss you Buu. Rest in Peace my friend.

Lachlan December 2, 2009 (7:02 am)

This case had few witnesses willing to talk, and frankly, when people can’t or won’t cooperate- what are the police supposed to do?

How many times have we read that a case gets broken because someone *finally* comes forward?

I would argue that the resources spent finding Clemmons and Monfort were well-spent. If people like them are that brazen to essentially execute cops, how safe are the rest of us?

TA December 2, 2009 (7:23 am)

I am so happy to hear this. Steve was our neighbor and comes from a good family. They have suffered through so much pain this year. It is a nice Christmas gift to ease a little of their suffering by arresting the people who took away their son. We saw Steve the day before he was killed, and as always smiled and said hello. I am sorry his young life was cut short…. and that his family has suffered. I hope they have a little comfort this holiday with this news…

Kris December 2, 2009 (8:15 am)

Steve was a really close friend – and a best friend to my cousin. I’ve known him since high school, and his parents went to Westt Seattle high with my parents. All we know, it was a pretty random murder. Something he was shot over that happened that night. Steve was the guy that made you laugh even in a bad mood- pulled you get out of bed with a early morning or late night call. This guy was TONS of fun, and I trusted him with my house and my motorcycle, and around my family. We still have a big hole in our lives since his loss.

Nicole December 2, 2009 (8:27 am)

Awesome to hear….Its about time….are you kidding me!!! The man who was arrested in San Antonio did not have ANYTHING to do with this shooting. He is a great brother, friend, and father! He has a great belief in the LORD! He is down to earth and a sweet person. You would be lucky to know him and to feel his kindness! I understand you lost your friend, and I pray that they find the killer; however my brother is not in this group!

mm9 December 2, 2009 (8:39 am)

Wonderful, surprising news. This person’s family really deserved to have justice for their loved one. We have move on and this becomes old news but for friends/family the pain never goes away.

miws December 2, 2009 (8:40 am)

Great work by SPD and the other agencies involved!

Lachlan’s first paragraph sums it up pretty well. There also must be alot that goes on behind the scenes in investigations, that the public isn’t privy to.

From what I’ve read (alot of it here on WSB), and heard over the years, there are good reasons for withholding investigative info from the public. In many cases, releasing certain info could severely compromise not only the investigation, but any subsequent actions, (trial, sentencing, etc). Do we want perp(s) in situations like this getting off with little, or no punishment, because some hotshot defense lawyer found some “minor technicallity”, and decided their clients “rights” were more important than bring justice for the victim(s) and family, and for public safety with the perp back out on the streets?

Sure, it’s frustrating it took ten months to find these alleged perps, but, I highly doubt investigators were resting on their laurels. I’m sure they were frustrated as anyone with how long it took. It may also boil down to doing their best with limited resources.

Now, hopefully this will bring a great sense of relief to Steven’s family and friends, and we can only hope, a speedy trial ensues, and that if these people are found guilty, proper justice is served.

Mike

Mike December 2, 2009 (8:42 am)

Good to hear these cases are coming closer to an end. It makes me wonder if there are connections between these guys and the Clemmons people.

Lachlan December 2, 2009 (8:52 am)

Agreed, Mike. You expanded on an important aspect I sort of implied. There is so much going on that we cannot be privy to for good reasons. It’s frustrating, especially in horrific cases like Steve’s, or Teresa Butz this summer. But I have faith that science and detective work can win out in the end.
.
I’m very, very glad to hear of these arrests and I hope this is the beginning of much-deserved closure for Steve’s family and friends.

SLynn December 2, 2009 (9:45 am)

I woke up yesterday to the swat team outside my house with pointed guns at the house across from me… The cops said the man they took away was wanted for a homicide in West seattle on Super bowl sunday and that they might have 3 other homes to search as well… I sure hope that this is true and that the killer is behind bars.

dawsonct December 2, 2009 (9:45 am)

For your sake, Nicole, I hope you are right, but all across this country there are tens of thousands of good, religious (as though THAT confers some sort of moral superiority) people sitting in prisons for killing and assaulting people.

WSB December 2, 2009 (9:49 am)

SLynn, are you in WS or somewhere else in the city? You can respond offsite if you prefer:
editor@westseattleblog.com
.
thanks! – Tracy (WSB editor)

bsmomma December 2, 2009 (10:20 am)

Thank GOD! I got goose bumps when I hear the news! SPD is doing a GREAT job these days!

Tikay December 2, 2009 (10:39 am)

Thanks to the SPD for not letting this senseless murder go unsolved. Finally, justice will be served. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Bushaw family. We continue to remember Steve and the smiles he brought to us.

Jmom December 2, 2009 (11:24 am)

Great job SPD! Finally some good news in a heart breaking story! My family has grown-up in WS and has known Steve and the Bushaw’s since childhood. Our thoughts are prayers are with the Bushaw family!! Hopefully these criminals that have been arrested are punished to the fullest extent of the law!! including the guy in TX! And any other person that is connected an anyway to this murder! Again, good work SPD! It’s been a very hard year for you guys!!

B December 2, 2009 (11:29 am)

as a family member of stevie. it is so rewarding and so relieving they have finally cought these murderers. Thank you to the SPD and everybody else who helped out. We love you and miss you stevie!!! you are never forgotten and your family loves you very much!!!!!

Merf December 2, 2009 (11:53 am)

this is some of the best news i have heard in a long time. finally there will be some justice for this crime. i miss you and love you Steve. these guys will get what they deserve!!

The Big Dude December 2, 2009 (12:12 pm)

Some People are so naive. Everyone on here wants to give all the praise to SPD. Am I the only one that is frustrated with them for taking ten months to make an arrest in what seems to be a pretty cut and dry case. There were three eye witnesses. I guess I just put myself in the family’s shoes. I would have been outraged with SPD for taking so long to make an arrest. I guess better late than never. It will be interesting to see what charges are filed against these animals.

a. December 2, 2009 (12:22 pm)

I’m with u nicole i know The Guy from texas too i he’s a wonderful person and i know he had nothing to do with all of this hopefully it will all be cleared up. I am sorry for the family too reading all of these posts anytime something sensless like this happens its sad.

BUSHAW December 2, 2009 (12:29 pm)

as a family member of stevie, we are very happy and relieved these murderers are caught. we miss him dearly and are saddened with the loss of such a wonderful man. We love you very much stevie!!! you are always on our minds and in our hearts!! thank you to the SPD for finding them and not giving up on the case. Thank you to everyone who has helped out with the investigation, as well as to those who have said prayers for huge family of Bushaw’s.

we love you stevie!!!

Morgan W December 2, 2009 (1:20 pm)

Bout damn time. I hope those pieces of sh*t get whats coming to them. This is some of the best news I’ve heard in sometime. We’ll never forget you Steve.

KBear December 2, 2009 (1:41 pm)

Oh yeah, Big Dude, I’m sure the SPD just sat on their hands for a year when they knew full well who the perps were. Makes perfect sense. I’d do exactly the same thing. Good grief, why does EVERYTHING have to be some sort of conspiracy? I for one am thankful for the difficult and dangerous work our police officers do. I’m glad they finally got a break in this case.

Merf December 2, 2009 (2:25 pm)

obviously Big Dude, you have NO IDEA what the specifics are on the suspects. there were some very large obstacles that had to be dealt with before the suspects could be apprehended. you shouldn’t speculate on what the SPD did or didn’t do because you don’t know any of the details on the case. you should be happy that the SPD have made arrests and leave it at that. it took 10 months but they got em!! and i’m really happy with all their efforts to catch these cowards!

Ondrea Watson December 2, 2009 (3:29 pm)

The attorney’s only get one chance to make sure that the people that committed this crime get what they deserve. It was a long 10 months but if that’s what was needed in order to have a case without any chance of letting these monsters go then that’s what it takes!

KIRO 7 is doing a story on Steve and the new developments tonight at 6:19.

We love you Steve!!

Erin December 2, 2009 (3:56 pm)

This is such a relief! Steve has been on my mind everyday since that horrible night at Talaricos (I was one of the many people who tried to help). Regardless of the time that has gone by, a small piece of me instantly healed when I heard the good news. I hope his closest friends and family are able to have a very Merry Christmas and celebrate his legacy for many years to come!

Much love,
Erin

CM December 2, 2009 (4:10 pm)

Im really glad someone got arrested. I am probably one of the few people that actually said something to the police. They took my thoughts into consideration and that was the last I heard. Until now, Steve was one of the better friends that I had in my life. The news of his death crushed me and many others, I am glad that now there will be some justice. I Love and Miss you Steve. Lets go build a fire somewhere!!!

kenyon blocks finest December 2, 2009 (4:12 pm)

We love you Steve. Rip.

mrs.seraile December 2, 2009 (6:11 pm)

This news is a great Birthday present for our friend, brother, uncle and son, Steve! His Birthday is coming up soon. Never a day will go by that we don’t remeber you boo!!! Happy Birthday!

Shannon / Aaron December 2, 2009 (6:17 pm)

Way to go SPD….Finally!!! Our prayers and thoughts are with Steve’s family this holiday season and hope this will add some relief to their pain……

CB December 2, 2009 (6:20 pm)

Nicole,

Here are some details about your “sweet” brother arrested in Texas for the murder:

Court records show Sylve has felony convictions for possession of stolen property, taking a motor vehicle without permission and attempting to elude. He also has a third-degree theft conviction and an assault conviction from Yakima, and was guilty of two driving misdemeanor offenses in Seattle.

SHANNON "BOSS" WARDEN December 2, 2009 (6:38 pm)

Steve will always be my friend forever and i cary his spirit with me to the job e love! I know that Stevie stayed to make sure these guys pay for what they did!!!! Now may he go to heaven knowing that his friends and family are safe and so we can rejoice in him, and have thanks for this great man who never got to speak; we hear you “BOSS”!

5th generation alki girl December 2, 2009 (7:24 pm)

Thank you God! I was ecstatic to hear that the murderers had been caught. What is wrong with this world, that a human beings life doesn’t mean any more than a few pounds of weed? “Money is the root of all evil”. It is so true. A wonderful young man’s life was taken because of drugs, greed and money. How pathetic. Maggie Mae, and Ronnie Bushaw, my heart has not stopped aching for you from the day Stevie’s life was taken. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, and my prayers that these monsters would be caught have been answered. I know it won’t bring Stevie back, but at least you can rest easier now, knowing these heartless murderers are behind bars, and that Stevie can now truly rest in peace. May the spirit of the season lift your hearts high, and may you find some sense of peace with this. I love you Maggie!

LilB December 2, 2009 (11:36 pm)

I work with Steve’s mother. Understandably, she has not been the same. Every day for the past 10 months, I walk into work and see the saddness on her face and the pain in her eyes. Her smile has been gone and often she is off into deep thought. I am positive that this is one of many times a day she is thinking of her son. I would walk up to her. Give her a big hug and tell her ” one day it will be ok. One day they will find them. One day”

This morning I walked in and noticed something is different about her. She hugged me and told me.
She said she felt like a kid at christmas! This is the day that she and the family has been waiting for! Not only did they take a wonderful son, brother, uncle, and friend from us… They took away a part of her as well!

WELCOME BACK MEG!!! SP HAS MISSED YOUR SMILING FACE! Our thoughts and prayers are ALWAYS with you and your family!

MB December 3, 2009 (11:04 am)

LilB…that made me cry. I knew Steve’s mom very briefly when I was a teenager at my first job (I’m roughly Steve’s age), doubt she’d even remember me, but it is so good to hear that she might have even just a little bit of peace this Christmas. I hope she starts to smile again.

craig December 3, 2009 (11:34 pm)

the whole thing is horrible….

I MISS YOU STEVE!!!

WHATS WASHINGTONS DEATH PENALTY QUAILIFICATIONS LIKE???? PREMEDITATED???

WSB December 3, 2009 (11:37 pm)

They are not charged with aggravated murder, so I do not believe they are eligible. But I could be wrong. I’ll be checking.

westseattleite December 4, 2009 (3:33 am)

I am so happy for the family and friends that arrests have been made in this case….Steve was a good guy and his loss has caused a lot of pain for everyone who knew him. Good job by the SPD in this case as well….it is not like they weren’t trying and regardless of how long it took the important thing is that people have been arrested and that they have a case good enough to put these people away for the terrible thing they have done…. And as for the supposed “sweet” brother arrested in San Antonio. I don’t know anything about him but I’m sure there was a reason he was arrested…..The courts can decide just how “sweet” he really is

kaeloc December 4, 2009 (1:25 pm)

finally the beginings of some type of closeure. hopefully, justice (atleast to some degree) will be served.

abcd December 8, 2009 (2:36 pm)

craig,I have to comment,your words of vengeance sound far too similar to the accused.As saddened as we all are for the loss,this “they must die” attitude echoes the same motivation the accused had for their friend.Not defending them,just be carefull what is posted

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