West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
(Photo substituted at 6:25 pm for original 5:53 pm cameraphone pic)
ORIGINAL 5:41 PM REPORT: We’re on our way to the fire reported in the 5000 block of Delridge (map). Per the scanner, it’s a duplex, and everybody got out OK. “Small amount” of flames said to be visible from the roof. Police are being called in to help divert traffic around the fire scene. 5:50 PM UPDATE: Our crew’s arriving and confirms Delridge is blocked.
From the scanner, fire is described as “tapped.” Our crew is seeing firefighters cutting holes to ventilate the roof. 6:01 PM UPDATE: Incident commander tells us the fire was in a range hood. Police, via scanner, expect Delridge will be blocked another 15 minutes or so. 6:26 PM UPDATE: No word of reopening yet. Added a few more photos, including this closer look at the deployed ladder:
6:42 PM UPDATE: Delridge has reopened, both ways.
(Photo of the morning: Fauntleroy Way south of Alaska, from smohundro via the WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: They started with a Facebook group – but they meet face to face too, and if you lead a local Block Watch, or would like to, you’ll want to be at tonight’s meeting of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), 6:30 pm, with incoming precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen on the agenda … Also tonight, a key meeting in the months of work that a Citizens Advisory Group has put in to make sure the county took neighborhood needs into account regarding a way to reduce “combined sewer overflows” from Murray Pump Station at Lowman Beach – their final recommendation(s) are centerstage for the 5:30 pm meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy … Need help figuring out how to winterize your home/yard? Savvy Seattle Women are presenting a free workshop tonight, 6:30 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) library branch (2306 42nd Av SW) – more info at the SSW website … and tonight ChickChat is back in West Seattle to spotlight “Girls Giving Back” – meet some amazing Seattle females of all ages, particularly inspiring if you have a daughter to bring along – it’s at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way), ticket info here.
On the scanner, we’re hearing firefighters arriving at the scene reporting light smoke. We’re on the way to the scene, 7700 block of 18th SW (close to Holden). 6:43 PM UPDATE: Some of the units are being canceled. 6:55 PM UPDATE: Verdict from firefighters – candle in the house got too smoky somehow. Firefighters wrapping up and so are we.
We’re getting a report of wires down on the 5600 block of Admiral Way. Fire crews have been dispatched to the scene. No word yet on how it is affecting traffic or if anyone is without power. Drivers may want to avoid the area. We’re off to check now.
UPDATE 9:48 AM: Just back from the scene where everything seems back to normal. It may have been a minor situation or a false alarm. Traffic is moving fine in both directions.
We’re checking now on a couple of overnight incidents. First, reports of a car fire around 3 AM on the 3400 block of California Ave SW. Tipsters tell us that there was so much smoke that a few people who live close to the location of the fire had to temporarily evacuate their houses. No word yet from the fire department but we’ll post an update here later if we get any details.
And just before 5 AM, police responded to an assault with deadly weapons call at a house on the 1700 block of SW Brandon. Det. Mark Jamieson of the SPD media unit tells us this morning that one person died there as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
As we’ve said before, suicide is an epidemic that needs to be addressed, not ignored as is the policy of some media, so we report about it here as well as homicide cases (which are outnumbered in King County by suicides). For those who have thought about it — the local Crisis Clinic is there to help: 206/461-3222. There’s a national hotline at 800/SUICIDE.
UPDATE 11:11 AM: We have confirmation now from Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen who says investigators have determined that this fire was intentionally set. Damage to the 1994 Ford Explorer SUV was estimated to be around $3,000.
We also received information this morning that the owners of the SUV, who apparently reside at the address where it was parked, were stopped by police while driving by the scene in another vehicle. We checked with Lt. Norm James at the Southwest Precinct this morning who could confirm only that the Arson Bomb Squad was called to the fire scene to investigate and that it is still an open case. He also said that a “suspicious vehicle” was stopped in the vicinity of the fire and three adults (two males and one female) were arrested for narcotics and subsequently booked into King County Jail.
(Photo added at 12:32 pm)
ORIGINAL 11:39 AM REPORT: We’re receiving reports of SPD units responding to a bank robbery call at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Westwood Village. We’re off to check it out.
12:32 PM UPDATE: We’ve confirmed that the Alaska USA Credit Union inside the Westwood Village QFC was robbed earlier today. The branch is currently closed while investigators process the scene. We’ll be checking with SPD for more information and will post an update as soon as we learn more.
4:17 PM UPDATE: FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt has provided us with a bit more information now. He said they are seeking a white, female suspect. Approximate age and hair color were not provided. She was estimated to be about 5′ 4″ and 140 pounds, wearing a black vest over a gray hoodie, with a black hat and stonewashed jeans. She also had a swollen upper lip. A weapon was not seen and only “implied” but he said the suspect should still be considered armed and dangerous. Special Agent Gutt said the suspect left the scene on foot.
Thank you to all those who contacted us with word of a big police presence, including officers with weapons drawn, near the intersection of 19th Avenue SW & SW Brandon. Officers at the scene told us that it looked like a bigger situation than it actually was.
They say that a patrol officer identified a car that had been reported stolen. When he attempted to speak with the five people standing around in the driveway near the car they acted aggressively. So he called in backup, which responded quickly and helped to detain the suspects for questioning at the scene. The officers were still conducting their investigation when we left, but they say that apparently both the license plates and the car they were attached to were reported stolen. They also said that three of the people questioned will probably be released.
Original post 10:04 PM: We’re getting preliminary word of an incident at the intersection of 35th & SW Barton that appears to involve a fatality. We have someone on the scene and will be updating with more information as it develops.
10:31 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police now tell us that around 9:30 tonight passersby reported a man on the ground near the bus stop at the northeast corner of 35th & Barton. Paramedics responded to the location and made attempts to revive him but they were unsuccessful. Police are still there waiting for investigators to process the scene. They said the man did not appear to be homeless and, though a quantity of alcohol was found with the body, it was too soon to make any determination as to what role drugs or alcohol may have played in the man’s death.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
Original report 11:42 am: Just checking on reports of a car fire in the westbound lanes of the West Seattle bridge. We’ll post more details as we have them.
Update 12:11 pm: SFD has the fire out. Westbound lanes of the bridge are now open, though moving slowly as the right lane is restricted at the West Seattle end of the bridge (just before the intersection of 35th) while police wait for removal of the burned vehicle. It appears the fire was in a commercial van which burned completely. There are no reports of injuries.
Update 2:46 pm: Thanks to those who e-mailed us earlier this afternoon to report that traffic was again moving smoothly. Also, thanks to WSB’er Chris for the cameraphone video of smoke billowing from the van:
(Scroll down for newest information – 1:11 pm: SFD has determined fire was accidental)
(Photo substituted at 5:46 am for cameraphone photo we had earlier – this was taken before fire was out)
FIRST REPORT, 4:35 AM: There’s a big response right now to a boat-fire call in the 1300 block of SW Spokane, and we have a few reports of a loud explosion-like noise heard from northeast West Seattle right about the time it was reported – we’re checking it all out right now. It’s at the Jim Clark Marina.
4:50 PM: We’re en route to the scene – scanner traffic indicates that this is affecting traffic in the area, even train traffic, which has been shut down by Burlington Northern. Scanner says “two houseboats are totaled” so far in the fire, and also indicates the fireboat Leschi is involved in fighting the fire. WSB’s Patrick Sand has just arrived in the area and even before reaching the marina just called to say “fire is still visible.” (added – the video he shot on arrival)
5:03 AM: Patrick came over the low bridge and IT IS OPEN – for those who were worried. The flames are now subsiding but still a lot of smoke. Now the scanner (which we’re monitoring at HQ) says three houseboats were/are involved. At the scene, Patrick says it appears some sheds at the marina were involved too – sunrise is still an hour away so the damage will be more fully visible then.
5:13 AM: The “houseboats” reported on the scanner are more like covered slips, Patrick is being told at the scene, where SFD public-information officer Helen Fitzpatrick has arrived to work with the media. She tells us **no injuries**. Some of the fire units are being cleared from the scene; the fire is mostly out.
5:20 AM: Adding a cameraphone photo atop the story (that’s a fireboat lit up at the back of the shot); we’ll have video back at HQ in a bit. We asked SFD’s Fitzpatrick about the reports of a “boom” just before this was reported; she says the Fire Department’s heard a lot about that too but it’s way too soon to tell what that was – investigators will have to do their work figuring out what caused this. The official summary so far is two “boat houses” burned (NOT “houseboats” as per earlier scanner traffic) and one boat (photo above shows smoldering debris). The fire was fought from both land and water (the fireboat Leschi was called out) – and if you’re passing by, as a Twitter question reminds us, you may notice firefighting foam on the Duwamish.
6:50 AM: We’re going back shortly for a daylight look at the scene – scanner indicates police have just reopened the surface street(s) that were blocked off in the marina’s immediate vicinity (again, NOT affecting low-bridge traffic).
7:14 AM: SFD’s Fitzpatrick has just updated the damage totals from the fire: One boat burned, one boat was damaged by fire, a third boat sank; one boathouse was gutted (see our photo) and the two adjacent ones were damaged. The firefighting foam on the water, she notes, is biodegradable. No word yet on how the fire started.
7:55 AM: We’re back at the marina now that the sun’s fully up. The iPhone photo above is the burned boat from the shore east of the marina – we’ll have a closer photo a bit later but that’ll do for now. Port of Seattle Police are here as well as a few remaining fire and citywide-media crews. (Next two photos added 9:22 am – burned boat, plus damaged boathouse next to debris from destroyed one)
11:37 AM: Still no word on the cause. SFD has posted its complete summary of other details here.
1:11 PM: Fire investigators say this was an accident: “fuel vapor in the bilge of a 36-foot boat was ignited by a spark from electrical equipment, & caused explosion.” Damage total is estimated at $200,000.
As you head back home – if you travel Highland Park Way, please note that there have been two separate incidents involving police and fire in the past hour. One, we know was a crash at HP Way/Holden; the other, 7700 block of HP Way (where it meets 8th), we’re still working to find out.
(Photo courtesy Erik)
4:48 PM: SPD media unit Officer Renee Witt tells us the 2nd incident involved a man in his 70s, apparently disturbed, who was out in the middle of the street. Both of these situations sound like they’re being resolved, but let us know if you see otherwise. Thanks to the multitude of people who e-mailed, texted and FB’ed about this.
(NOTE: As of just before 5 pm, California SW has reopened)
ORIGINAL 2:11 PM REPORT: Just getting word of this crash near California/Brandon (in front of Papa John’s – here’s a map), involving a police car. We’re told a car was pulling out of a driveway when it collided with a cruiser en route to an incident, apparently with lights and siren. We’re told the officer is hurt. No word yet how badly. (Photo added 2:18 pm) Christopher Boffoli and Patrick Sand are both there for WSB and we’ll add details as we get them.
2:36 PM UPDATE: A few more details – The officer involved in the crash had been heading to a call about a “disturbance” at California and Dakota north of The Junction. Investigators are headed to the crash scene to sort out other details. The driver of the other car was apparently not hurt – looks shaken up as much as anything; officers have been talking with him. California is closed **TFN** from Rite-Aid at the north to Brandon on the south. The injured officer is being checked out.
2:54 PM UPDATE: Buses are being rerouted too. We’ve gotten this e-mail alert about the 22:
Rt 22 is temporarily rerouted on California Ave SW near SW Brandon St, due to a blockage.
Use stops north of Sw Edmunds St or south of SW Morgan St.
Looking up the others. (54, 128, ST 560 affected too) Also, SPD Blotter has published a very short update on the crash:
On August 18th at approximately 1:52 p.m. an officer in a fully-marked police car was responding to an emergency call with lights and siren activated. Just north of SW Brandon Street on California Avenue SW the officer collided with a beige Ford sedan and subsequently struck a tree near the side of the road. The driver and only occupant of the beige Ford sedan, a male in his 70′s, was evaluated at the scene but was not injured and did not require transportation. The officer was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives are responding to the scene. The circumstances surrounding the collision are currently under active investigation.
Scanner traffic indicated that the emergency call involved a parking-enforcement officer who may have been pepper-sprayed by someone – we are checking on that.
3:20 PM: Added that photo from Christopher, which shows the other car that was involved.
4:23 PM: Christopher checked again a few minutes ago – still closed. We’ll continue checking periodically.
4:59 PM: Thanks to Pop from the Thaitan Restaurant, who says the road reopened a few minutes ago. Belinda, via Facebook, says buses are going by too.
ADDED 6:34 PM: Thanks to Garfield High School student Gabriel S. for sharing that photo – again, the officer who was hurt was described as having “non-life-threatening” injuries, but we’re still trying to find out more on how he’s doing.
(We’re continuing to add info as more is learned about this afternoon’s sonic booms)
ORIGINALLY POSTED SHORT ITEM AT 1:50 PM: (We originally reported “Yes, we heard it too” after the two double sonic booms rocked WSB HQ in Fauntleroy. Then the servers jammed. We were also tweeting – here’s our first one – and FB’ing – first status here.)
UPDATE: KING5 confirms with FAA that military jets caused the sonic booms. Apparently they were scrambled for a possible breach of the no-fly zone. On the scanner, we hear they came here from Portland.
2:12 PM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct says that they have received official confirmation of the military jet cause. There is no word of any damage or injury at this point. Our apologies about the site’s inaccessibility – literally thousands of people slammed it at once and we are dealing with our server management company to be sure that would never be a problem again.
According to the scanner, the aircraft were scrambled because of a no-fly zone breach during the president’s visit. The location of the no-fly zone breach seems to vary depending on which citywide-media source you look at/listen to – anything from Lake Union to Boeing Field. Continuing to look for official verdicts.
2:25 PM UPDATE: We continued updating Facebook and Twitter while the server was inaccessible and as noted there – the 911 calls, according to scanner traffic, had been coming largely from West Seattle. So WS felt the brunt of it.
Our partners at the Seattle Times now have a short article up (and we’re sure it will be updated as they get more) – read it here. And if you are interested in reading what people are saying on Twitter – here’s the ongoing monitor of the phrase “sonic booms.
2:38 PM: Seeing and hearing reports that the seaplane pilot is being questioned on Lake Union.
2:54 PM: There have been different types of aircraft reported by different citywide sources but now the prevailing ID seems to be F-15s, Oregon Air National Guard. Will add citation/link as soon as we find it. Meantime, we have been checking the mailboxes and other incoming sources and it still does not appear anyone’s reported damage – let us know if you have heard/seen otherwise.
3:10 PM: If you’ll pardon the soundtrack – here’s the first video we found on what a sonic boom LOOKS like. Will sub out if we find a better explainer:
Here’s a gallery of photos related to Oregon ANG F-15s.
3:20 PM: Here is the official NORAD statement – from its Facebook page!
SONIC BOOMS over Seattle: NORAD responded to an aircraft violating a VIP Temporary Flight Restricted Area near Seattle at approximately 1:35 PDT. F15s from the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard in Portland, were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. The aircraft departed the TFR prior to intercept but in the… process of intercepting the aircraft, the F15s went super-sonic near the Seattle Area.
NORAD responded to a question following that status update, regarding why jets weren’t scrambled from McChord in Pierce County instead:
The aircraft on alert at the time were from Portland. Also, McChord does not usually have fighters stationed there. As for going supersonic, the U.S. Air Force has the best trained and equipped force in the world. They fly very safe.
3:56 PM: A Normandy Park woman on the floatplane that caused the fighters to rush this way has told the Associated Press she and the pilot had no idea about the flight restrictions.
4:03 PM: The president has left Seattle – Air Force One has taken off. (4:32 pm – adding photo David DeSiga shared via Facebook, where we’re seeing multiple comments that the jet was visible from West Seattle after takeoff)
NORAD has published its official “news release” – although frankly, the Facebook status we republished above was more informative!
4:52 PM: The Times has continued to update its story. (And has a photo of the floatplane pilot with a Secret Service agent.) This quick excerpt addresses one of our remaining questions:
Officials said it would be a national security risk to say how fast the planes were traveling, but even at sub-supersonic speeds it would take not much longer than 10 minutes to make the trip from Portland.
5:06 PM: Well, maybe we can get back to writing the story we were working on before all this. Now the humor races in: Somebody created a foursquare check-in for “F15 Sonic Booms.” Second, you can put in for an “Obooma!” T-shirt.
ORIGINAL 7:12 PM REPORT: Incident near Uptown Espresso in The Junction is causing traffic trouble. Details to come.
7:27 PM UPDATE: We’re told this all started with a fight/argument between two people – while police wouldn’t confirm much to us at the scene, witness Mark e-mailed this report:
Just before 7 pm, a scuffle with no real contact started in front of the Uptown Espresso at Edmunds and Erskine. From a distance it was just posturing and yelling. One of the guys in the fight stormed off. Then a small white car, looked like a Suzuki Samurai or Geo Tracker (white, convertible) pulled out in a hurry, a girl yelled at the people in the car and smacked it. The car then sped toward, and hit the guy that stormed off. Hard enough to knock him feet over head in the air. And they drove off. Shortly thereafter emergency folks showed up.
Police do confirm one person was taken to the hospital. The roads in the area are open again.
ORIGINAL 6:23 PM REPORT: Traffic alert in south Highland Park/north White Center: Roxbury is blocked both ways at 9th, 8th is blocked both ways at Cambridge. A crash here earlier is believed to have involved some kind of pursuit that scanner info linked to reckless driving. On the east side of the scene, Roxbury is blocked at 7th. Detours onto side streets are a mess; avoid the area.
7:50 PM UPDATE: See comments for at least one witness report so far. We spent some time at the scene last hour – and saw at least three dented/dinged police cars, Burien and SeaTac, with one dripping fluid from its undercarriage, another needing a tire change, while the investigation team did its work. The vehicle that apparently sparked the pursuit – at least, one that matches the description put out on the scanner – was still at the scene too (in the photo we added above), all of this on the south (eastbound) side of Roxbury. Going back shortly to see if it’s reopened yet. 9:47 PM UPDATE: Open again. Thanks again to everyone sharing eyewitness reports in the comments section; we hope to get official details (including total damage to law-enforcement vehicles) from King County Sheriff’s Office in the morning.
(Photo by Tony Bradley, substituted at 8:52 pm for our earlier cameraphone photo)
ORIGINAL 7:12 PM REPORT: On our way to check on this “fire in single family residence” call (here’s a map of the location, which is southeast of Westwood Village). Via Facebook, Charmaine reports “lots of smoke, firetrucks and roof on fire!” And via Twitter, we have a second report of “lots of smoke.” 7:31 PM UPDATE: From the scene: Incident commander says this was a “smoky kitchen fire,” nobody hurt, out now, and many of the units are pulling out. Till they clear, though, avoid Delridge/Barton, where Barton was blocked off because of the response. ADDED 8:11 PM: Video from the scene:
ORIGINAL 4:23 PM REPORT: Scanner indicates it’s indeed a fire in the 3400 block of 36th SW (map), though how big, we don’t yet know. On the way.
4:31 PM UPDATE: Via Facebook, Eric says he’s a block away and not seeing smoke. The scanner indicates the fire is now “tapped” and some units are being canceled. Christopher Boffoli is en route to cover for WSB and we expect to hear from him shortly.
4:39 PM UPDATE: Christopher sent the photo we added above. He says a bit of smoke was visible from the eaves but confirms the fire’s no longer active. Awaiting info on what happened and confirmation that no one was hurt.
4:58 PM UPDATE: Confirmed, no injuries. Christopher reports that one resident made it out safely and that the fire is believed to have started in the basement; he adds the first-floor joists are still smoldering so there’s a bit of smoke. The fire investigator has just arrived so we won’t know the cause till later. But note that 36th is closed between Hanford and Hinds till the trucks clear.
(Scroll down for newest info)
(top photo added 5:15 pm, thanks to Patty, who called 911 after seeing the smoke – next photo was our 1st one in, thanks to LeeAnne, who saw it from blocks away)
ORIGINAL 4:33 PM REPORT: On our way to the 4500 block of 48th SW (map), where crews are on the scene of a house fire. More to come. We’re told at least one helicopter (likely TV news) is in the area – so if you’re wondering about the chopper, that’s what it’s about. 4:46 PM UPDATE: Still fighting the fire. No word yet if anyone hurt. We’re on scene. They’ve called for a few more engines. The scene is close to Ercolini Park. Still smoky. A public-information officer is on the way to gather details for us and other media crews. 4:55 PM: Still lots of smoke – this is as close as media is being allowed – the house you see is immediately south of the one with the fire:
No indication of any injuries. A medic unit is on scene, as is SOP for fires, but there’s no indication they’re treating anyone. 5:03 PM: Sarah sent this photo taken behind the house:
Our crew on the scene has checked out that same angle from an alley where you can see the back of the house – you can see a hole burned through the roof, but the smoke has stopped, so crews are making progress. The PIO has arrived so we should have more official info soon. 5:14 PM UPDATE: According to SFD’s Dana Vander Houwen, the house was empty – nobody was living there, no furnishings, so nobody hurt. Major damage to basement, attic, rear of house. (video added)
Investigators will work into the evening to figure out the cause.
(Thank you VERY much to EVERYONE who texted, called, tweeted, FB’d and e-mailed to let us know about this and/or share photos and info as we rolled out – we cover breaking news 24/7/365, and your tips are vital.)
ADDED 9:27 AM FRIDAY: Vander Houwen says investigators traced the fire to overheated electrical wiring, so it was ruled accidental, damage totaling $90,000. Also, we wanted to add one of the photos taken by Ilona Berzups showing the firefighters “behind the scenes,” so to speak – at one point more than 50 were on this scene, and the support work done to make sure they can safely do their job is always interesting to watch:
ORIGINAL 9:27 PM REPORT: This call was originally dispatched as a “heavy rescue” but has already been downgraded after crews reported nobody was trapped in a vehicle after all – according to the scanner, it’s a car over an embankment at 35th and Avalon; thanks to those who texted us the tip. We just arrived and the fire units have all cleared, which suggests no injuries; will have a photo of the car (and info on traffic effects, if any) shortly. 9:39 PM UPDATE: Photo added, courtesy Mike Heavey (who we’d just seen while covering the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting an hour ago). Meantime, WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from the scene that police say the driver went through the fence – northbound side of the street, about 100 yards south of the stalled (and recently sold) development site – while swerving to avoid another vehicle. Nobody hurt; no traffic effects.
ORIGINAL 1:29 PM REPORT: A big Fire Department response is dealing with a hazmat situation on the north end of Harbor Island (13th SW/SW Florida), and while SFD spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says no injuries are reported, scanner discussion indicates traffic trouble in the area. The situation involves a “substance leaking from a container” in a rail yard – no other details yet. 4:24 PM UPDATE: From SFD via Twitter: “Hazmat incident on Harbor Island is wrapping up. 3 units standing by until a contractor can come take care of the issue. No injuries.”
ORIGINAL REPORT, “FIRE IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE,” 4800 BLOCK 51ST: Not far from where we’re headquartered for the weekend at The Junction – everyone heard nearby Station 32 roar out – we’re on the way to the scene. 4:18 PM UPDATE: Just a scare. The self-cleaning oven somehow came on, residents returned to house full of smoke. No damage.
11:53 PM: There are reports of one victim and possibly one arrest. 47th and Fontanelle (map). 12:13 AM: Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene. They say two men were fighting. It escalated to shooting. 1 man was shot in the arm. Both have gone to the hospital (the second for beating injuries). 12:42 AM: See comments for additional info from people who live nearby. Adding photos from Christopher – showing that the scene was right at the north end of the park.
Christopher also reports that police told him the two men involved – estimated to be in their 30s – knew each other. Police also reported finding the gun, and “other belongings,” taking them as evidence.
ADDED 7:46 AM: Police have published this summary on SPD Blotter:
On July 1st, shortly after 11:00 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to reports of shots fired in the north end of Lincoln Park (near the 7300 Block of 47th Avenue SW). Officers arrived and located two men. One was attempting to hold down the other. After separating and detaining both men, officers learned that the two were together in the park when they began arguing. At some point the argument became physical, and the two began fighting. During the fight, the 35 year old suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several times, striking the 32 year old victim in his left arm. The Seattle Fire Department responded to treat the injuries to both men (suspect had been struck in the face several times during the altercation and had difficulty breathing). Both men were then transported to the hospital for additional treatment. The injuries are not considered life-threatening. AFter receiving treatment for his injuries, the suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault. Detectives will follow up with the investigation.
ORIGINAL 2:05 PM REPORT: On our way to check out a report that some people might have had to leave their homes while authorities deal with a natural-gas leak at Othello/Vashon (map), just north of Solstice and Lincoln Parks. SW Othello is closed for much of the stretch between California and Fauntleroy. 2:16 PM: We’re at the scene – Fire Department’s still here, Puget Sound Energy has just arrived. Still working to find out exactly what happened; no indication of injuries. Just added a photo looking east toward the scene from across Fauntleroy. 2:26 PM: SFD says it’s a broken 2-inch pipe but otherwise, their crews are there as a “standard gas-leak response.” Media is not being allowed close enough for us to find out anything else, but there’s no indication this is affecting any more than a small area in this residential neighborhood. We’ll be checking back. 3:28 PM: Road still closed, new photo:
No new info at the scene but commenters below are shining some light from within the zone. 5:50 PM UPDATE: As we noted in comments, the street is open again. Puget Sound Energy confirms the break was caused by a contractor working at the scene and it only affected the service at the home where the work was being done.
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