West Seattle Crime Watch: Explosive attack this morning

| Crime | West Seattle online | West Seattle police

Got a note from Laura in Highland Park wondering about an loud explosion-type sound that rattled her windows around midnight. Checked with the Southwest Precinct, which quickly provided this info: Somebody set off an explosive device in the backyard of a home in the 7700 block of 13th SW (map). “Shrapnel” from the explosion broke a window at the house; no injuries reported. The bomb squad was called out, and determined the device was made from “sparklers, ceramic, and duct tape.” The victims told police they don’t have kids who might have been involved in a prank like that, and have no idea who might have done it.

k August 13, 2008 (9:44 am)

I heard that too- and I live in Highland Park View. It was loud!

Justin August 13, 2008 (9:47 am)

We heard that all the way up in High Point!

G. Williams August 13, 2008 (10:01 am)

Wow, when was this? I live maybe five blocks from there in Highland Park and didn’t hear a thing.

elgrego August 13, 2008 (10:24 am)

I heard it too. Around midnight I think?

WSB August 13, 2008 (10:30 am)

Oh sorry, I neglected to include the time from Laura’s note. Indeed, around midnight. Will edit, thanks – TR

G. Williams August 13, 2008 (10:54 am)

Hmm, I’m surprised I didn’t hear it. I often sleep with earplugs in, though, so maybe that’s why.

cjboffoli August 13, 2008 (11:13 am)

Since when are sparklers explosive? I think something got lost in the translation there.

Chris August 13, 2008 (12:04 pm)

It’s quite easy to make Sparler bombs, nothing was lost in translation.

JimmyG August 13, 2008 (12:05 pm)

It’s called a “sparkler bombs” and they’re all the rage right now.

They’ve taken the place of the explosive 2 liter plastic bottle bombs from a few years ago.

While they sound tame enough, you don’t want to be close to a “sparkler bomb” when it’s ignited.

WSB August 13, 2008 (12:13 pm)

Thanks, JG. This is one of the many amazing things about this gig. Not only do you “learn something new every day,” I tend to learn something new every HOUR.

JimmyG August 13, 2008 (12:20 pm)

The kids keep trying to outdo each other with them by using more and more sparklers at a time.

If you want to see some in action just put “sparkler bomb” into youtube.

MAS August 13, 2008 (1:06 pm)

Didn’t everyone use sparklers to start a thermite reaction at some point in their lives, or was my lack of eyebrows from 12 to 16 years old unique?

LDR August 13, 2008 (1:52 pm)

We’ve had problems at the Gatewood school with this same issue this summer. The explosions would knock things off my window and set car alarms off. Now I know what they are, since the Gatewood playground is littered with used sparklers. It’s really disturbing how loud it is.

Dave August 13, 2008 (1:17 pm)

Very disturbing. Oh yes, of course, late night firecrackers in an alleyway strong enough to break a window. This is not ‘kids being kids’ and should not be treated as such by the authorities. A ‘broken windows’ policy should be implemented around here as I’m a firm believer that trash attracts trash. I believe the bomb detonated around 10 pm, not midnight. After reviewing the crime watch and reading today’s PI feature on our local gang problem, it strikes me that perhaps our elected officials should focus less on a bag tax and car-free days and more on beefing-up patrols and prevention.

Kat August 13, 2008 (7:13 pm)

Dave, I live on the 7700 block of 12th and it was DEFINITELY at 11:58pm. I thought it might be a transformer so I looked at the clock immediately to see if the power had gone out.

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