Updates: Delridge search after mother and child are shot

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(scroll down for latest updates – newest update, 2:08 am)

(photo of Delridge/Juneau roadblock taken by Sage K, added 11:53 pm)

Helicopter and many police involved right now in search centering on the 5600 block of Delridge. The call is “assault with weapons 14” which usually means multiple patients known or suspected. Trying to find out more. Thanks to those who e-mailed us with first word. 11:03 PM UPDATE: Whoever they’re looking for in this, scanner traffic indicates they’re not in custody yet, so if you’re in that area, be safe and be sure to call 911 if you see/hear anything/anyone suspicious. 11:05 PM UPDATE: One TV report says woman and boy shot. We heard scanner traffic talking about a 12-year-old male gunshot victim so we believe that’s from this incident. We’re also hearing that police may be looking for two suspects. 11:10 PM UPDATE: Victims taken to Harborview Medical Center, which indicates serious wounds. According to King County records, 5625 Delridge is a duplex. 11:17 PM UPDATE: According to the police media-info line, this started with a 911 call around 10:30 pm from a woman reporting hearing 10 to 12 gunshots. The media-info line describes the victims’ wounds as “non-life-threatening” and also says a third person was believed to have been shot at, but not hit. 11:36 PM UPDATE: Nearby residents say the helicopter has left the area, but we are not hearing any scanner indications of any arrests so far. Sage K does report northbound traffic is still being rerouted at Delridge/Juneau, where police have the road blocked. Sage also sent photos; stand by. 12:01 AM UPDATE: Lots of new info in update we just got from the Seattle Police media-info line. Most important: “Tentative” description of the vehicle police are seeking – a burgundy SUV. That’s ALL the information they have on possible suspects. Also, they identify the victims as a mother and her 12-year-old child. She was shot twice in the chest; he was shot in the back of the shoulder. Both are expected to survive, according to police. They say the search and investigation currently involves: Guardian 1 (helicopter), K-9, CSI, homicide, and gang units. Nobody in custody as of this report filed moments ago. 12:47 AM UPDATE: Sage K reports in comments that Delridge is now fully open again. No notable scanner activity in the case for a while, meantime. (We’ll keep monitoring till at least 2 am and will post whatever we hear/learn …) 2:08 AM UPDATE: For anybody still awake and wondering, no new developments reported. We’ll continue to monitor for a while longer, as we’re still working on an unrelated article that has to be done before the WSB newsroom shuts down for the night.

elgrego May 13, 2008 (11:01 pm)

Just drove past on my way home from work. They closed off Delridge and are directing traffic to detour (onto 25th I think?). Lots of squad cars, lots of unmarked cars and a couple ambulances.

mike May 13, 2008 (11:06 pm)

thats odd, the police helicopter was just circling highland park/white center.

5600 seems to be almost the exact same place as a shooting 6 months ago :/

Sage K May 13, 2008 (11:09 pm)

I live in the 5900 block of Delridge and I have to say that it’s unnerving to have that happen so close to me. I had no idea that a child was shot. All I knew was that there had been a shooting and that police have a barricade right outside my place on Delridge and that there has been a helicopter circling overhead. I really hope that they catch this person(s). And soon!

mike May 13, 2008 (11:19 pm)

My bad there were two shootings the first listed at the same address, although I’m sure its just a approximate.

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=2453

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=2484

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen drug deals and that type of activity in front of the used tire place at night, and I nearly witnessed some kind of tussle that led up to the first shooting. Every time I would pass by late at night on the weekends there would be two guys standing there with no obvious reason to be there.

I really really hope the Olympia pizza place can help turn that block around.

elgrego May 13, 2008 (11:20 pm)

Any description of the suspect?

WSB May 13, 2008 (11:21 pm)

I have not heard a suspect description on the scanner. There was some talk of a white Range Rover POSSIBLY related to another POSSIBLE incident that might have been POSSIBLY related to this – but I can’t stress enough, that was just scanner talk, not official info … am continuing to monitor and will post everything significant we learn from scanner and police media line.

WSB May 13, 2008 (11:24 pm)

Mike – I looked thru WSB archives and 5600 block of Delridge is how we described the pit-bull-shooting case a few months back:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=5978
I don’t have any records of the exact address involved but am going to see if I can find it some other way, on the offhand chance it’s the same place.

LK May 13, 2008 (11:26 pm)

This is nearby the Longfellow Creek Apts where there was a drive by recently–no one hurt, but a former boyfriend was arrested later, I believe. Sounds like the helicopter just left the area…Hopefully they’ve got who they’re looking for.

WSB May 13, 2008 (11:30 pm)

Longfellow Creek is where the guy shot thru window at girlfriend/ex and then went to the Central District and (allegedly) shot and killed restaurateur. I think it’s in 5400 block.

Longfellow May 13, 2008 (11:34 pm)

Longfellow Creek is 59** of Delridge and this shooting was very close by as well as the Pitt Bull case. With in eyesight of the complex. There hasn’t been a drive by here but there was the shooting thru a window here a while back. Although I swear it’s not the complex. Most people that live there are nice and keep to themselves.

WSB May 13, 2008 (11:40 pm)

Thanks, I hadn’t had time to look that up. No records coming up so far on this specific (5625) address, still looking.

mike May 13, 2008 (11:47 pm)

Oh, I was one off it was at “5626 Delridge”.

sleepless May 13, 2008 (11:54 pm)

thanks for the late night work wsb. my wife and i aren’t able to sleep.
– sleepless on 6300 block

WSB May 14, 2008 (12:01 am)

Police just updated the media-info line moments ago and I am about to add all that new info to this post … stand by and hit refresh in a couple mins

Trick May 14, 2008 (12:24 am)

Delridge is still blocked, just got home a few minutes ago and had to take a very long detour.
Alot of people on the street being questioned.

Sage K May 14, 2008 (12:40 am)

Delridge is now unblocked.

WSB May 14, 2008 (12:47 am)

thank you, Sage! will add to the main narrative too.

andy May 14, 2008 (12:57 am)

wow. i live so close, info like this is invaluable.

thanks wsb!

thoughts and prayers for the victims.

kinws May 14, 2008 (6:12 am)

WSB, please continue to update us on this story if you’re able to obtain additional information. I’d really like to know that the child & his mother survived. And it’d be really nice to knowing if this was a random act of violence or if the mother and/or child were targeted for a specific reason. Thanks for everything you do! You guys are such a blessing to our community!

Kristina May 14, 2008 (7:08 am)

I’m a mother.
I have a child.
How anyone can attack a mother and child is truly beyond me.
How such violence can occur in my own back yard is startlingly confusing to me.
My thoughts and prayers and wishes for healing to all who are involved.

TheHouse May 14, 2008 (8:09 am)

(posted Elvis Presley lyrics that can be found here)

JenV May 14, 2008 (9:41 am)

I have emailed the WSB about removing House’s above posting. It is racist, insensitive and inappropriate. you trying to prove you’re not an elistist jerk, House? Nice try, here.

WSB May 14, 2008 (10:12 am)

Actually I have to amend that comment because of copyright issues. Also had to amend Jen’s because the last sentence also went over one of our lines. Still consolidating the comment policy but it’s on the bottom of the “about” page in the meantime.

WSB May 14, 2008 (10:17 am)

Kinws – we did post another update this morning with new info from police:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=7528

dennis roux May 14, 2008 (11:51 am)

New to wsb. 6500 block delridge. Really impressive info re last night shooting. Thanks wsb!

Michael May 14, 2008 (12:36 pm)

Thanks to House for that astronomically astute assessment of the situation. As usual, hits the nail…and kind of bends it.

TeresaP May 14, 2008 (1:20 pm)

THEHouse, I have to agree with you here. To be politcally incorrect, you can build some new condo’s here, throw in a row of new houses but it is and always will sadly be The Delridge neighboorhood.

There is no way in hell I would live there but I feel so bad for that poor woman and her son. I hope they cathc the rat b*stard who did this to her and her son.

JenV May 14, 2008 (1:29 pm)

Isn’t it awful high up, House, Michael and TeresaP- being in that Ivory Tower?

When hyperlocal news really shines - Lost Remote TV Blog May 14, 2008 (1:57 pm)

[…] take a look at this post on WestSeattleBlog.com and the subsequent comments after a shooting broke out in the neighborhood. […]

Sage K May 14, 2008 (2:26 pm)

You know I live on Delridge and I take issue with the rude and insensitive comments coming from House, Michael and TeresaP. There a lot of nice people who live here and take pride in this area and work to make it a better place. And I have to say that shooting aren’t the norm here. Sure we get a bad element here every now and again being as we are on a major arterial and this is one of the places in west seattle that the working poor can afford to live. Being poor doesn’t make us bad people or neighbors. I’m sure if those ‘bad element’s could afford to live in so called better neighborhoods they would and then you would be having the same issues. The only way to make an area better is for concerned citizens to be aware and do what they can to make it a safe place. That is why people lie my self and my neighbors try and stay alert so that we can help the police if the need arises and discourage this type of thing. I have to say that I live near the victims and I have walked by their place several times and they have always been nice quiet people and have waved when ever they are having a bbq. I think it’s rude to assume that they did anything to provoke this attack. For all you know the shooter had the wrong house.

charlabob May 14, 2008 (4:03 pm)

Thank you, Sage (and JenV et ux)! I’m sure many of us live in neighborhoods riddled with white collar criminals; so we just never notice because their attorneys take care of it.

S May 14, 2008 (4:11 pm)

For all we know, perhaps the shooter is from Madison Park. Quiet your assumptions, open your eyes. We are a country consumed by violence in our homes, in our streets, in our government. We are a country that fails to prioritize children and families. Turn off the blame and be honest with yourselves: What have you done lately to make a difference? This is where I live. I am raising my children here. I love it here, and I will stay here. I may not have much, but I’m doing my part. Can you say the same?

barmargia May 14, 2008 (4:12 pm)

Sage very well said…even the expensive, popular Admiral & Alki area have crime and gunshots.

changingtimes May 14, 2008 (4:27 pm)

are you kidding charlabob! just because you live up the hill from delridge all of a sudden the crime in your neighbor hood goes from blue collar to white collar! My mother in law lives in the long fellow creek apt and she pays 900 a month to live there and that is with section 8!

ldenels78 May 14, 2008 (4:34 pm)

I’m new to West Seattle…new to the the WSB…I’m an East coast girl told about this shooting in a letter that was sent home from school today. News flash…everybody is affected by this type of crime. I will spend however long it takes explaining to my 1st, 3rd and 4th grader why a friend and classmate of their’s was hurt by unnecessary violence.

Jerry May 14, 2008 (5:20 pm)

I live in Delridge and am happy here. Used to live on 48th just up from Beach Drive and CHOSE to move here. Nuff said. My reason for writing is I’m wondering if the victims could use any help from the neighborhood? Like maybe some meals once they come home from the hospital?

S May 14, 2008 (5:26 pm)

Excellent idea Jerry. I’d like to help.

Jerry May 14, 2008 (6:23 pm)

chopper and police are back in the area :(

S May 14, 2008 (6:35 pm)

Was just talking with my daughter (the boy is a classmate of hers) when we heard the sirens. 911 says another assault with weapon. My heart aches.

“We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

WSB May 14, 2008 (6:53 pm)

we have started a new post on the new call, 6000 block 21st SW. no idea what happened at this point, a WSB team member is en route and will call in info for us to post as soon as he gets there.
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=7538

Jerry May 14, 2008 (9:07 pm)

I should also mention that when we lived near beach drive, we had our car stolen, a rock thrown thru the window of our other car in broad daylight and the spare tire stolen. Nada since we moved to Delridge :)

Ok, so how do we find out when the victims get back home and how do we hook up to organize and help?

ldenels78 May 14, 2008 (9:39 pm)

Hi -I will speak to the principal of our school tomorrow on behalf of everyone that has shown interest in helping out. The school has asked that we respect the privacy of the family and friends involved. But hopefully they can shed some insight on how to proceed. I will send along an update as soon as I have one!

WSB May 14, 2008 (9:46 pm)

Please also let me know at
editor@westseattleblog.com
Sometimes it is an important part of healing from something like this … to show the community reaching out. I’m sure your school community is coming together to offer support, but greater West Seattle has quite a heart too.

TheHouse May 14, 2008 (9:58 pm)

I believe that some of you have completely misinterpreted my post, which I don’t quite get.

This happens to be one of my favorite EP songs and it is about how if we don’t stop the cycle of violence, then it will persist. The shooting of a child could potentially perpetuate the cycle of violence because of revenge.

Why you would call me racist and insensitive because of the lyrics of this song is beyond me. It is a beautiful song.

Jen, I don’t want to resort to degrading you in a public forum. You interpreted this completely wrong and I believe enough people understood where I was coming from.

WSB, I apologize for posting copyrighted material….I wasn’t aware that it was against your polices.

ldenels78 May 14, 2008 (9:59 pm)

I couldn’t agree more…I think it will be a great thing for the community, the family & the children…I will do whatever I can to help make it happen.

Sage K May 14, 2008 (10:02 pm)

I’d love to help them out too. I live quiet close by and these people are literally my neighbors. If anything gets organized I’d like to know so that I can help as well.

S May 14, 2008 (10:14 pm)

I’m with you. I’m sure we can figure a way to respect the family’s privacy and express our sincere desire to help, even if anonymously.

Tony May 15, 2008 (2:33 am)

I live right smack dab in the middle of all the recent delridge shootings. From the diamond ring shooting, Longfellow shooting to this most recent one. It saddens me that this type of crime occurs in my neighborhood, I know many of my neighbors and we have a great sense of community. Since I lived here theft has never been an issue it seems to be the type of area where you can leave your car unlocked with a $100 bill on the seat and wake up to find it still there. These waves of shooting are most likely caused from non-residents of the area.

TheHouse May 15, 2008 (11:24 am)

Interesting,Jen. You were quick to call me a racist with absolutely no reason to do so, but you’re slow with an apology.

You just lost 50 hit points on validity.

JenV May 15, 2008 (2:29 pm)

Where do you get off thinking I *owe* you an apology? What you posted was stupid and insensitive- a mother and child were shot, and you post some lyrics to a song infering that it happened because they live “in the ghetto”??!!
.
I wonder what you would do if something like that happened to your wife and child, and someone posted lyrics to a song that suggested it were their own fault because of where they lived.
you just lost 50 points on humanity- if you ever had any humanity to begin with, which I doubt.
.

WSB May 15, 2008 (2:49 pm)

Guys: At this point I’m not intending to close this thread but I would like to ask that if you would like to have further discussion about this, please open a forum topic. We are working offline to see if we can help with a community effort to assist the family as has been suggested by a couple earlier posts on this thread, which is going to remain a reference spot until we have enough information to publish a new post about that — thanks, TR

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